If the lawsuit succeeds will the government still be able to surveil terrorists?
Yes. Wiretaps on terrorists are allowed under the law, and this lawsuit is not challenging the wiretap laws. We have sued AT&T for breaking those laws—the telecommunications giant gave the government access to its communications switches and its huge databases of information on millions of ordinary Americans. These are AT&T customers who have not even been accused of affiliations with terrorists. Americans can be both safe and free: if the government truly believes it has cause to wiretap a suspect, it can order AT&T to provide information under FISA—for up to 72 hours before going to the court. But AT&T has no business providing direct access to the communications of millions of ordinary Americans, without the checks and balances of Congress or the courts.
Yes. Wiretaps on terrorists are allowed under the law, and this lawsuit is not challenging the wiretap laws. We have sued AT&T for breaking those laws — the telecommunications giant gave the government access to its communications switches and its huge databases of information on millions of ordinary Americans. Those surveilled are AT&T customers who have not even been accused of affiliations with terrorists. Americans can be both safe and free: if the government truly believes it has cause to wiretap a suspect, it can order AT&T to provide information under FISA for up to 72 hours before going to the court. But AT&T has no business providing direct access to the communications of millions of ordinary Americans, without the checks and balances of Congress or the courts.
Related Questions
- Will the BMENA vocational and technical colleges be able to operate with autonomy, or will there be close government (e.g., Education Ministries) oversight and control?
- Would human smugglers aka "coyotes" help terrorists sneak over the U.S. borders for the right price?
- If the lawsuit succeeds will the government still be able to surveil terrorists?
