Section 702 is a surveillance authority passed as part of the FISA Amendments Act in 2008. That law amended the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978. Section 702 is supposed to do exactly what its name promises: collection of foreign intelligence from non-Americans located outside the United States.

What are the provisions of FISA?

FISA provides a statutory framework for government agencies to obtain authorization to gather foreign intelligence by means of (1) electronic surveillance, (2) physical searches, (3) pen registers and trap and trace (PR/TT) devices (which record or decode dialing, routing, addressing, or signaling information), or (4) …

Is FISA Section 702 still in effect?

December 30, 2012: President Barack Obama signed the bill into law. January 18, 2018: The Senate approved a six-year extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. January 19, 2018: President Donald Trump signed S. 139, FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017, into law.

Is Section 215 still in effect?

At midnight on May 31, 2015, Section 215 expired. With the passage of the USA Freedom Act on June 2, 2015 the expired parts of law, including Section 215, were reported broadly as restored and renewed through 2019.

What is FISA used for?

FISA, as amended, establishes procedures for the authorization of electronic surveillance, use of pen registers and trap and trace devices, physical searches, and business records for the purpose of gathering foreign intelligence.

What does the FISA Act do?

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (“FISA” Pub. 36) is a United States federal law that establishes procedures for the physical and electronic surveillance and the collection of “foreign intelligence information” between “foreign powers” and “agents of foreign powers” suspected of espionage or terrorism.

Why was the Protect America Act passed?

The Protect America Act modernized the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to provide our intelligence community essential tools to acquire important information about terrorists who want to harm America.

When was FISA amended?

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 Amendments Act of 2008

NicknamesFISA Amendments Act of 2008
Enacted bythe 110th United States Congress
EffectiveJuly 10, 2008
Citations
Public law110-261

What is the FISA Amendments Act Q&A?

The FISA Amendments Act: Q&A. The Intelligence Community’s top legislative priority for 2017 is reauthorization of the FISA Amendments Act. The FISA Amendments Act (FAA), codified as Title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) authorizes foreign intelligence surveillance activities that have been vital to keeping the nation safe.

What is FISA and why does it matter?

When Congress enacted FISA in 1978, it drafted the law so that foreign persons located outside the U.S. would be outside of FISA’s ambit. This was accomplished in large part by defining electronic surveillance based on the technology of 1978.

What is Title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act?

The FISA Amendments Act (FAA), codified as Title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) authorizes foreign intelligence surveillance activities that have been vital to keeping the nation safe.

What is Title VII of FISA and why is it important?

Title VII of FISA is vital to keeping the nation safe. These authorities provide the government with a uniquely effective way to acquire information about the plans and identities of terrorists and terrorist organizations, including how they function and receive support.