Defense

Justice, civil liberties groups battle over spy tactics

Justice spokesman says agency appreciates input from the groups, which are upset over temporary expansion of intelligence law.

News

California appeals court to review spying cases

Hearings come on heels of new law that broadens intelligence officials' eavesdropping power.

News

Lawyers wary of expanded wiretapping powers

Head of the American Bar Association calls on Congress to roll back a week-old law broadening the government’s domestic eavesdropping ability.

Defense

Bush pushes lawmakers to act on spying bill

Administration is urging Congress to move fast to broaden the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

News

Bush's surveillance plans get a chilly response

President argues changes to intelligence law would help the government work better with private-sector entities, like telecommunications companies.

Defense

Appeals court vacates wiretapping ruling

Group that brought the case is reviewing its legal options, including going to the Supreme Court.

Defense

Senate panel approves intelligence authorization measure

Bill would require the disclosure of the overall funding requested, authorized and appropriated for intelligence.

Tech

Biggest threat to Internet could be a massive virtual blackout

This type of high-tech ambush occurs when multiple compromised systems flood the bandwidth or resources of a targeted server.

Tech

Project to streamline patent reviews nearing launch

Communal approach will let the public submit existing inventions known as "prior art" and comment on their relevance to patent applications.

Tech

Senators seek federal transparency, 'reporter's shield'

Sponsor of bill to reform FOIA says the Bush administration has lax enforcement of the law, and a “near obsession” with secrecy.

Defense

Study on privacy protections finds citizens distrust security agencies

Survey finds agencies that received negative publicity tended to generate less trust.

News

Advocates urge improvements to FOIA process

Addressing delays requires better reporting, improved leadership and tracking of requests, and more resources and penalties, witness at hearing says.

Tech

More money, end of fee diversion sought for patent agency

In fiscal 2008, the agency anticipates hiring an additional 1,200 patent examiners and plans to continue expanding telework efforts.

Defense

Attorney general grilled over domestic spying changes

Justice Department announced it would change how the spying initiative operates by getting permission from a secret court that fields requests for surveillance warrants on U.S. soil.

Defense

Privacy advocates decry accessing of bank records under security law

The New York Times reported Sunday that the Defense Department and CIA have been utilizing a special subpoena power to scour bank and credit-card records.

Defense

Key senator says Democrats will not be soft on terrorism

Increased oversight doesn't mean leniency on terrorism, incoming chairman of Judiciary Committee says.

News

New judiciary panel leader promises more oversight, privacy protection

Vermont Democrat slated to lead Senate committee says his agenda is one of "restoration, repair and renewal."

Tech

Privacy watchdogs urge probe of spying program

White House Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board has been criticized for being a dependent part of the very branch of government it is supposed to oversee.

Defense

Federal information-sharing plan may face hurdles

Proposal would give state and local law enforcement a more direct role in exchanging information.

Defense

Groups ask high court to review aviation ID policies

Policy in question requires passengers to present IDs to airline personnel before boarding flights and subjects selected individuals to thorough searches.