US Telecom Amnesty Bill Passed - ISPs Let Off the Hook
Date : 2008 07 09 Category : Web News
The US constitution, particularly in the eyes of digital rights activists, has been dealt with a major blow today. The FISA bill with amendments that would grant telecom immunity to ISPs that participated in a warrantless wiretapping program with the current administration has recently passed the senate and now awaits the presidents signature.
There was hope earlier this month that the FISA amendments would collapse in the senate after a court opinion was issued in the Al Haramain v. Bush case. The court said, "FISA preempts the state secrets privilege in connection with electronic surveillance for intelligence purposes and would appear to displace the state secrets privilege for purposes of plaintiffs’ claims.