A bipartisan amendment to the PATRIOT Act that would have prevented the American government from accessing Americans' web browsing information and search history without a warrant was narrowly rejected by the US Senate on May 13 (text here). "With web browsing and searches, you’re talking about some of the most sensitive, most personal, and most private details of Americans’ lives. Every thought that can come into people’s heads can be revealed in an internet search or a visit to a website. Their health history and medical concerns. Their political views. Their romantic lives and friendships. Their religious beliefs. Collecting this information is as close to reading minds as surveillance can get. It is digital mining of the personal lives of Americans. ... "The question is whether a government agent believes they have the right to look at your web searches. In other words, it’s open season on anyone’s most personal information. "There is a simple solution: require a warrant. With my amendment, the government can go to the court and, with a warrant, collect whatever it wants from those who actually threaten us. And, in an emergency, the government can use the emergency provision of FISA, collect the information immediately and settle up with the court later." — Senator Ron Wyden, sponsor of the amendment What would the amendment have done? Had the amendment passed, it would have forced the US government to establish probable cause to get a warrant to search people's browsing history. Currently, Section 215 of the…
