PATRIOT Act Debate Must Include Reform of Last Year's FISA Amendments Act: Via EFF.org Updates.

Today, the American Constitution Society's blog, ACSblog, was gracious enough to let EFF's Kevin Bankston guest blog about the current debate over renewal of the USA PATRIOT Act. Kevin took the opportunity to highlight the need for Congress to revisit the broad surveillance authority granted by last year's FISA Amendments Act (FAA) when it considers reforming the PATRIOT Act. Kevin argues that "from a civil liberties perspective, focusing on reforming the PATRIOT Act without also considering FAA reform is like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic." The entire blog post is here.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is planning to consider PATRIOT renewal and reform Thursday. It's important to let your Senators know that you support both PATRIOT reform and FAA reform, including repeal of the immunity for telcos like AT&T that assisted in the National Security Agency's warrantless wiretapping program. If you haven't already, please visit our action center and contact your Senators now!

Read Original Article:(Via EFF.org Updates.)

Want Off Street View? Google Wants Your ID and a Sworn Statement -- UPDATE: Google Gives: "

EFF privacy advocate and unhappy Street View model Kevin Bankston made good on his vow to try out Google's take-down policy after THREAT LEVEL found a picture of his unwitting mug stalking the sidewalks near EFF's offices. What he learned: Google is happy to remove you from Street View ... provided you give them a wealth of additional information, including a photo of your driver's license.

(Update, 6/15 13:41: Google Cuts The Red Tape)
[ Read more ... ]