The PATRIOT Act allows law enforcement to conduct surveillance without probable cause as long as gathering foreign intelligence is one of their goals.
Is the previous statement true or false?
ANSWER:
true
To determine whether the previous statement is true or false, we need to verify the content of the PATRIOT Act.
The PATRIOT Act, or the USA PATRIOT Act (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act), is a U.S. law enacted in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It provides law enforcement agencies with expanded powers to combat terrorism and enhance national security.
Regarding surveillance, the PATRIOT Act does grant certain powers for the collection of foreign intelligence information. Section 215 of the Act, also known as the "library provision," allows the FBI to request business records, including library records, for intelligence gathering purposes. This provision faced significant criticism for potentially infringing on individuals' privacy rights.
Additionally, the PATRIOT Act expanded the scope of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), enabling the acquisition of information of foreign agents or intelligence-related individuals within the United States. FISA permits the surveillance of individuals suspected of engaging in espionage or terrorism-related activities, even if probable cause is not required.
Based on the provisions outlined in the PATRIOT Act, the statement that law enforcement can conduct surveillance without probable cause as long as gathering foreign intelligence is one of their goals is true. However, it is important to note that these powers are subject to various checks and balances, including judicial oversight and periodic reauthorization by Congress.