United States of America: Introduced Protect Liberty and End Warrantless Surveillance Act (PLEWSA/ HR 6570)

On 4 December 2023, the Protect Liberty and End Warrantless Surveillance Act (PLEWSA/ HR 6570) was introduced to the House of Representatives, aiming to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and to reform authorities in order to provide greater transparency and oversight. The PLEWSA amends Section 702 of the FISA and would require obtaining a warrant for all surveillance involving US persons. Presently, Section 702 of the FISA grants the federal government the authority to intercept electronic communications of non-US individuals located outside the United States and the communication of American citizens is frequently collected when monitoring foreign individuals. The communication data is stored and can later be accessed without a warrant. Furthermore, the PLEWSA aims to reform the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and limit the ability of the federal government to acquire Americans' data from technology companies without obtaining a warrant.