The Spy in Your Pocket
Byron Tau's Means of Control documents how the private sector helps government agencies keep tabs on American citizens.
Domestic spying
NSA Purchases Internet Metadata To Spy on You Without a Warrant
A new letter from Sen. Ron Wyden (D–Ore.) reveals that the agency admitted the practice nearly three years ago but would not allow him to reveal it.
Controversial Surveillance Law Up for Renewal (Again) in April
Congress gave FISA’s Section 702 a brief lease on life, but civil liberties concerns haven’t gone away.
The Beekeeper Is a Pulpy, Enjoyable Action Movie About a Rigged System
In Jason Statham's latest lowbrow actioner, the bee puns buzz all the way to the top.
Congress Renews Warrantless Digital Spying Program as Part of $886 Billion Spending Bill
Section 702 will continue until April, when Congress will have another shot at seriously reforming a program that desperately needs it.
House Proposal Would Expand Federal Warrantless Spying Authority
One bill set to be considered would grow the scope of federal digital surveillance and would authorize the federal government to use those powers against more individuals.
Congress Prepares To Reauthorize a Warrantless Domestic Spying Program the FBI Abused
Competing FISA Section 702 reauthorization bills will reach the House floor next week, Speaker Johnson says.
Government Misuse of Data Rightly Worries Americans
Federal agencies frequently buy their way around the Fourth Amendment.
Government Watchdog Calls Out Dangers in Section 702 Surveillance
A divided board recommends reforms as Congress debates renewing snooping authority.
Did Banks Hand Private Financial Data to the FBI Without Legal Process?
Banks routinely snitch on customers and even deny services to people politicians don’t like.
FBI Made 'Inappropriate Use' of Foreign Surveillance Program To Spy on Americans
A White House panel says the FBI's internal control over Section 702 databases are "insufficient to ensure compliance and earn the public's trust."
We Still Don't Know the Full Extent of the Government's Warrantless Electronic Spying Program
The reauthorization of Section 702 is one of the most important issues facing Congress in the second half of this year.
Biden's Flip-Flop on Warrantless Surveillance
Plus: Montanans challenge ban on drag story hour, Arizona approves birth control without a prescription, and more...
Intelligence Services Evade 4th Amendment by Paying for Your Data
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence warned that the practice threatens civil liberties, risks "mission creep," and could increase intelligence agencies' power.
Federal Agencies Are Still Using Our Phones as Tracking Beacons
Our mobile devices constantly snitch on our whereabouts.
SCOTUS Says Domestic Spying Is Too Secret To Be Challenged in Court
Officials shield government abuses from litigation by claiming “national security.” The Supreme Court declined to weigh in.
Mike Pompeo Says He 'Grew Up Libertarian'
These days, he may run for president. His politics have changed.
Wildlife Agents Placed a Camera on His Property Without a Warrant, Then Raided His Home After He Removed It
How a Prohibition-era legal precedent allows warrantless surveillance on private property.
Sen. Rand Paul Proposes Dumping Entire Espionage Act
The law has been abused to prosecute citizens for reasons other than spying. But there are better examples than Trump to highlight problems.
The FBI Secretly Searched Americans' Digital Communications 3.4 Million Times Last Year
Plus: A questionable algorithm can sic state social workers on families, governments aren't the only entities that can expand contraceptive access, and more...
The Government Doesn't Need New Powers To Fight 'Domestic Terror'
We've already seen how this can abuse Americans' civil liberties with little increase in public safety.
'Domestic Terrorism' Fears Will Be Used To Justify Increased Snooping and Harassment
The Biden administration is greatly increasing FBI caseloads and agents. That's bad news for anybody who is worried about federal overreach.
The FBI Destroyed This Man's Life With Bogus Spying Accusations
The law enforcement agency has a disturbing record of drumming up the very conspiracies they're investigating.
USPS Uses Facial Recognition and Other High-Tech Tools To Monitor Social Media
Plus: Three things that aren't as bad as they seem, Tennessee bans certain treatments for transgender minors, and more...
Overreacting To Domestic Terrorism Makes It Worse
Targeting “extremists” threatens civil liberties while increasing the stresses that lead to violence.
A New 'War on Terror' Would Be Just as Disastrous as the Original
"We don't need to use a faulty model and apply it to the very real terrorism problem that we have at home," says terrorism expert Max Abrahms.
There Is No Need for Another PATRIOT Act
Law enforcement has more than enough tools already, argues former Senator Russ Feingold in the Wall Street Journal
Don't Let the Capitol Riot Become an Excuse for Expanding Government Power
The federal government should prosecute those people who committed acts of vandalism or violence. However, we should be leery about giving the feds additional powers.
Microsoft and Amazon Adopt Temporary Bans on Police Use of Their Facial Recognition Tech. That's Not Nearly Enough.
Both companies need to join IBM and others in entirely abandoning the development of this mass surveillance technology.
Pelosi Moves Forward With Impeachment; Rand Paul Wrong on Devin Nunes' Phone Records
Plus: Trump might send 14,000 more troops to the Middle East, Pelosi wants to take free speech out of a trade deal, and more...
As Times Change, the FBI's Snoopy and Heavy-Handed Ways Continue
The bureau has a long history of escaping accountability for intrusive and abusive action.
California Considering a Ban on Realtime Police Body Camera Facial Recognition
We can still say no to mass surveillance.
Sneak-and-Peek Warrant for Hidden Cameras at Florida Massage Parlors Faces Scrutiny
We were told this sort of spying would only be used to stop terrorists. And yet...
The FBI Won't Say if It Spies on Your Social Media Posts. Cue the Lawsuit!
"We shouldn't have to think about self-censoring what we say online."
Do I Owe It to My Criminal Relatives to Keep My Genes a Secret?
When genetic testing results become a tool for law enforcement
U.S. Government to Facebook: 'Americans Don't Like to Be Spied On'
We can think of at least one whistleblower who agrees.
No Foreign Spy Program Reauthorization Without Citizen Protections
The federal government has no business using information gathered under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act against Americans.
Senate Could Make It Easy for FBI to Spy on Teen Sexters, Black Lives Matter, and Other U.S. 'Criminals'
FISA reauthorization would majorly expand use of warrantless digital surveillance data against Americans.
End Warrantless Deep State Spying: Don't Renew 702
It's time to rein in warrantless domestic surveillance before it's too late.
Vault 7 Versus Snowden: Why Was One Such a Bigger Story?
Vault 7 serves as another reminder of the inherent folly in building government-mandated backdoors into secure systems.
CIA: Protect Americans First Instead of Hacking Their Phones and TVs
'Fundamentally, security is more important than surveillance.'
Revenge of the Deep State
The unseen government within the government has so much data on Americans that it can reward or punish at its own discretion.
Terrorism and Liberty in the Trump Era
Terrorism is only a real threat if it frightens us into destroying our liberties.
Trump, Terrorism, and Freedom: New at Reason
"I tend to err on the side of security, I must tell you."
Alexa. Please Don't Answer Police Questions Without a Warrant
Amazon refusing to turn over Echo digital assistant voice recordings in murder investigation.
I Learned It By Watching You!
New Russian anti-encryption and data retention laws look sadly familiar.