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FISA

Ken Lund / Ben Balter (background)

First passed in 1978, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) still guides the physical and electronic surveillance of foreign powers and agents. Congress has repeatedly amended the law, however, seeking to calibrate the government’s surveillance to accord with the level of threat and seeking to keep authorities current as technology develops at breakneck speed. Nevertheless, even authorized activities affirmatively permitted by statute have come under fire as a torrent of leaks have revealed government surveillance programs under the statute.

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FISA: 702 Collection
FISA: 215 Collection
FISA: Reform
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Latest in FISA

FISA reform

Livestream: A Conversation with Matt Olsen on the Reauthorization of FISA Section 702

Katherine Pompilio   Tue, Feb 28, 2023, 12:25 PM

On Feb. 28, Benjamin Wittes sat down with Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen at the Brookings Institution to discuss the Biden administration's attempt to work with Congress to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intellligence Surveillance Act before it expires on Dec. 31. They also discussed what would happen if 702 expired, and whether it is even necessary in a world more concerned with great power conflict than with counterterrorism. 

You can watch the event here or below:

Intelligence Community

Director of National Intelligence Releases Annual Transparency Report

Bryce Klehm   Fri, Apr 29, 2022, 2:58 PM

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence released its annual transparency report. The annual report compiles statistics and information on the intelligence community's use of legal authorities including the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. You can read the report here and below. 

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