The USA PATRIOT Act
The USA PATRIOT Act broadly expands law enforcement's surveillance and
investigative powers and represents one of the most significant threats to civil
liberties, privacy and democratic traditions in U.S. history.
What is PATRIOT?
The USA PATRIOT Act (officially the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate
Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act) was quickly developed as
anti-terrorism legislation in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks. The
large and complex law received little Congressional oversight and debate, and
was signed into law by President Bush Oct. 26, 2001.
PATRIOT gives sweeping search and surveillance to
domestic law enforcement and foreign intelligence agencies and
eliminates checks and balances that previously gave
courts the opportunity to ensure that those powers were not abused.
PATRIOT and follow-up legislation now in development threaten the
basic rights of millions of Americans.
What should I do?
Use our Action Center and tell Congress to protect Americans' privacy and free speech rights.
Related Links at EFF
The Fight for PATRIOT Reform
EFF has pushed Congress to reform PATRIOT. Though its dangerous "sunsetting" provisions were unfortunately renewed, EFF continues to press for more substantive civil liberties protections.
EFF's PATRIOT FOIA
FOIA Request to DOJ Concerning Pen-Trap Surveillance [PDF]
Doe v. Gonzales
(Doe v. Ashcroft) Defending free speech and privacy, EFF has helped the ACLU and an unnamed Internet service provider (ISP) challenge the constitutionality of "National Security Letters" (NSLs), a key power under the USA PATRIOT Act.
EFF Media Releases About PATRIOT
Can the FBI Monitor
Your Web Browsing Without a Warrant?
January 14, 2005
Court Strikes Down Key
USA PATRIOT Power
September 29, 2004
Draft 9/11 Legislation
Goes Too Far, Revives PATRIOT II
September 27, 2004
EFF Urges Court to Find
USA PATRIOT Act Powers Unconstitutional
May 25, 2004
Federal Judge Rules
That Part of the USA PATRIOT Act Is Unconstitutional
January 26, 2004
EFF Supports the
Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act
September 28, 2003
February 8, 2003