O'Harrow, Robert, Jr.
Materials presented chronologically.
O'Harrow, Robert, Jr.
1. "Justice Department Mulls Covert-Action Bill." Washington Post, 20 Aug. 1999, A1. "Who's Tinkering with Your Computer?" Washington Post National Weekly Edition, 30 Aug. 1999, 30.
According to a 4 August 1999 memorandum by the Justice Department, "[l]egislation drafted by the department, called the Cyberspace Electronic Security Act [CESA], would enable investigators to get a sealed warrant signed by a judge permitting them to enter private property, search through computers for passwords and install devices that override encryption programs....
"The proposal is the latest twist in an intense, years-long debate between the government and computer users who want to protect their privacy by encrypting documents. Although Justice officials say their proposal is 'consistent with constitutional principles,' the idea has alarmed civil libertarians and members of Congress."
According to the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), "New White House Computer Surveillance Plan Would Pose Unprecedented Threat to Privacy," 20 Aug. 1999 [http://www. epic.org], the proposed legislation "could result in an unprecedented intrusion into the sanctity of private homes and businesses."
2. "Agency Says Encryption Law Needed." Washington Post, 21 Aug. 1999, E1. [http://www.washingtonpost.com]
"Saying electronic encryption increasingly threatens to blind law enforcement to criminal activity, the Justice Department insisted [on 20 August 1999] that its agents need the ability to secretly enter private property and disable security on personal computers despite concerns about privacy."
Labaton, Stephen. "New Rules Expand Ability of Police to Monitor Talk on Cell Phones." New York Times, 28 Aug. 1999. [http://www.nytimes.com]
On 27 August 1999, the federal government "announced new technical standards for cellular phones that will broadly expand the ability of law enforcement agents to monitor conversations and locate criminal suspects."
Eggen, Dan. "FBI Papers Indicate Intelligence Violations: Secret Surveillance Lacked Oversight." Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2005, A1. [http://www.washingtonpost.com]
According to heavily censored documents provided to the Washington Post by the Electronic Privacy Information Center, which acquired them through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, "[t]he FBI has conducted clandestine surveillance on some U.S. residents ... without proper paperwork or oversight." However, FBI officials argued "that none of the cases have involved major violations and most amount to administrative errors. The officials also said that any information obtained from improper searches or eavesdropping is quarantined and eventually destroyed."
Lichtblau, Eric. "F.B.I. Watched Activist Groups, New Files Show." New York Times, 20 Dec. 2005. [http://www.nytimes.com]
According to newly available documents, FBI "[c]ounterterrorism agents ... have conducted numerous surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations that involved, at least indirectly, groups active in causes as diverse as the environment, animal cruelty and poverty relief."
Wald, Matthew L. "Widespread Radioactivity Monitoring Is Confirmed." New York Times, 24 Dec. 2005. [http://www.nytimes.com]
On 23 December 2005, the Justice Department confirmed that "[t]he F.B.I. and the Energy Department have conducted thousands of searches for radioactive materials at private sites around the country in the last three years." According to a federal official speaking on condition of anonymity, "the investigators have visited hundreds of sites in Washington, New York, Chicago, Detroit, Las Vegas and Seattle on multiple occasions, as well other locations for high-profile events like the Super Bowl. The surveillance was conducted outdoors, and no warrants were needed or sought."
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