UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: US court rules NSA mass surveillance illegal

12 May 2015

[International Secretariat]

Region: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Topic: Fight Against Terrorism and Human Rights

"For almost two years since the Snowden revelations, the US government has claimed the bulk collection of phone records is legitimate. Today's decision is a sign that the case for mass surveillance programmes is crumbling," said Sherif Elsayed-Ali, Deputy Director of Global Issues at Amnesty International.

"This is just one of several court challenges questioning the legal basis of the mass surveillance programmes pursued by the USA and its allies. This should be the beginning of the end as governments are forced to face facts and admit that their surveillance programme have gone far beyond the remit of the law. This decision should spur Congress to let the sun set on section 215 of the USA Patriot Act which has been used to conduct surveillance far beyond even our worst fears.

"Two governments, France and Canada, who this week voted on laws that would grant far-reaching surveillance powers, should take note that similar powers are being successfully challenged in the USA."

Background

Later this month, Congress will vote on the USA Freedom Act, a bill designed to limit mass surveillance powers created by the 2001 Patriot Act.

Rights groups yesterday called on House and Senate leaderships opposing a bill that would reauthorize Section 215 of the Patriot Act without modifying it.

On Tuesday, French deputies in the National Assembly voted in favour of an intelligence bill rights groups warn could hand authorities extensive powers to monitor online and offline communications without adequate checks and balances.

7 May 2015
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE