FSC Co-Signs ACLU Letter Questioning Expanded Surveillance Legislation

FSC Co-Signs ACLU Letter Questioning Expanded Surveillance Legislation

WASHINGTON — The Free Speech Coalition has co-signed a letter drafted by the American Civil Liberties Union that questions the U.S. Senate’s controversial renewal of PATRIOT Act provisions that would allow the U.S. government to spy on people’s online search and browsing histories without probable cause.

The letter was co-signed by over 50 prominent groups, including the NAACP, FreedomWorks, PEN America and the Union of Concerned Scientists.

This is the text of the groups’ letter to U.S. House of Representatives leadership, which is currently considering the legislation after it passed the Senate last week:

Coalition Letter to House Leadership Concerning Wyden-Daines Amendment to USA FREEDOM Reauthorization Act

On May 13, a bipartisan majority of 59 Senators — 24 Republicans and 35 Democrats — voted in support of the Wyden-Daines amendment to H.R. 6172, the USA FREEDOM Reauthorization Act of 2020. Though two more Democratic Senators supported the measure, one being a cosponsor, they were unable to be present for the vote.

Thankfully, support for the underlying policy is now abundantly clear, both within Congress and among the public: the FBI should not be allowed to use the PATRIOT Act to surveil Americans’ online activity without a warrant. Internet search and browsing history is extremely revealing in nature and the Fourth Amendment requires a warrant to obtain this information. As the Supreme Court in Riley noted, “An Internet search and browsing history, for example, can be found on an Internet-enabled phone and could reveal an individual's private interests or concerns — perhaps a search for certain symptoms of disease, coupled with frequent visits to WebMD.”

1. Section 215 was never intended to allow the government to collect such information, and the Wyden-Daines amendment would make this prohibition crystal clear. Given the government’s failure to disclose whether it believes it can collect this information under Section 215 already, the bright-line rule reflected in the Wyden-Daines amendment is sorely needed.

Accordingly, we urge you to only move H.R. 6172 with the inclusion of the Wyden-Daines amendment, or to provide an opportunity to vote on the amendment on the floor. This is particularly critical because, unlike the Senate, members of the House were denied any opportunity to debate amendments to cure the deficiencies in H.R. 6172. Additionally, reports released since House passage of H.R. 6172 have revealed additional surveillance abuses, which further underscore the need for additional reforms.

2. After H.R. 6172 moved through the House without the opportunity to amend it or cure its defects, and after both of its original sponsors announced support for more significant privacy reforms, 136 members voted against the measure. 65 Republicans, 70 Democrats, and 1 Independent voted against it because it failed to sufficiently protect privacy. Therefore, with the Wyden-Daines amendment, it is likely that the USA FREEDOM Reauthorization Act would pass with more support than before. This would be a welcome moment of bipartisan agreement, in defense of all Americans’ liberties, during a trying period in our history.

This reform is precisely designed to stave off the kind of scandals that led to a dramatic loss of trust in United States intelligence agencies over the past two decades.

Indeed, this would help address serious concerns among the public that civil liberties are at a heightened risk during this time of crisis. This is an acute concern for the many groups that the FBI has wrongfully targeted in the past, including activists, communities of color, and the press.

With ample support for this measure secured in the Senate, the decision to seize this moment in defense of Americans’ civil liberties is exclusively in your hands.

The letter concluded with the full list of signatories.

Letter to House Leadership Concerning Patriot Act Renewal

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Brady Mills Agency to Launch 'AgeWallet' Verification Solution

Brady Mills Agency has officially announced that its age verification solution, AgeWallet, will launch in November.

EU Advocate General: France Can Require Foreign Sites to Implement AV

An advocate general of the European Union’s Court of Justice on Thursday advised the court to rule that France may require pornographic websites based in other EU states to implement age verification in accordance with French law.

Hentaied Founder Romero 'Mr. Alien' on Fetish, Fantasy and Finding Order in Chaos

A sharp sting pierces the woman’s skin. Something foreign slips beneath the surface. Eggs, maybe. She doesn’t know it yet, but soon her body will become a vessel, a hive, a source of contamination.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for July, August

AEBN has published the top search terms for the months of July and August from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The Guardian Devotes Feature Article to XBIZ Amsterdam

British newspaper The Guardian sent a reporter to cover XBIZ Amsterdam earlier this month, resulting in a lengthy article about the annual European adult industry conference.

Pineapple Support Taps Char Borley as Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has named Char Borley as its newest brand ambassador.

Michigan Legislators Propose Online Porn Ban

Michigan lawmakers have introduced a bill that would make it illegal to distribute pornography via the internet in the state.

Florida AG Sues Aylo, Segpay Over State AV Law

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed lawsuits against Aylo and Segpay on Monday with the 12th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida for noncompliance with HB3, the state's age verification law.

Colombian Court Sides with Performer Esperanza Goméz Over IG Suspensions

Colombia’s Constitutional Court last week ruled in favor of adult performer Esperanza Gómez in her legal battle against Meta over repeated suspensions of her Instagram account.

Missouri AG Announces Age Verification Rule to Take Effect Nov. 30

Newly appointed Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced Friday that the state's recently approved age verification regulation for adult websites will go into effect on Nov. 30.

Show More