In 2024, U.S. intelligence agencies experienced a noticeable increase in the volume of search terms used to query communications related to U.S. persons, doubling to 7,845 from the previous year's 3,755. This escalation, part of the ongoing efforts to identify threats from foreign cyber entities and terrorism, stems from the controversial Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Critics argue this circumvents Fourth Amendment rights, as it allows the government to collect communications of Americans incidentally. Calls for reform, including warrant requirements for querying U.S. persons' data, are gaining momentum amidst growing scrutiny.
In 2024, U.S. intelligence agencies significantly increased their use of search terms to query communications of U.S. persons, igniting privacy concerns and calls for reform.
Under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, the FBI and NSA can collect communications of foreign targets without a warrant, leading to incidental collection of Americansâ communications.
Collection
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