The US Senate Intelligence Committee has reinstated a law that allows the National Security Agency to collect the communications of foreigners.
In a 12-3 vote on Tuesday, the committee passed the mostly unchanged version of the so-called Section 702, which according to critics, will enable spy agencies to also scoop up and share Americans’ private communications.
The Senate, however, remains divided on the issue, with the House of Representatives making some proposals for harsher restrictions on surveillance, while some lawmakers seek provisions they claim will protect Americans’ communications in a better way.
“This bill reauthorizes our nation’s most valuable intelligence collection authorities and ensures that the men and women of the intelligence committee and our law enforcement agencies have the tools and authorities they need to keep us safe,” said Chairman Richard Burr.
“It is a good compromise bill that addresses privacy and…