Do the NSI Guidelines protect citizens constitutional rights and privacy interests?
The NSI Guidelines include provisions to ensure that investigative activities under the guidelines respect legal rights and minimize intrusions on privacy and protected expression: • The Guidelines specifically provide that all activities by the FBI must be carried out in conformity with the Constitution and all applicable statutes, executive orders, regulations and guidelines, and must have a valid purpose consistent with the Guidelines. • The Guidelines prohibit investigating or maintaining information on United States persons solely for the purpose of monitoring activities protected by the First Amendment or the lawful exercise of other constitutional rights. • Where a choice of investigative methods is available, the Guidelines require the FBI to use the least intrusive feasible means, taking into account factors such as the effect on individuals’ privacy and potential damage to reputation. Why are the NSI Guidelines classified? Parts of the NSI Guidelines are classified because th