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Modern Privacy Concerns Started with the USA PATRIOT Act
The USA PATRIOT Act, passed shortly after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, significantly expanded the U.S. government’s surveillance and investigative powers to enhance national security. While its proponents argue it is essential for combating terrorism, critics raise serious concerns about how the Act infringes upon privacy rights. Here are the key ways in which the Patriot Act has been criticized for invading privacy: 1. Broad Surveillance Powers The Patriot Act grants government agencies extensive surveillance capabilities, often at the expense of individual privacy: Section 215 (“Library Records Provision”): Allows the FBI to request access to “any tangible things,” such as business records, library checkouts, internet browsing histories, and even medical records, without showing probable cause. The targeted individual might never know they were under surveillance. Mass Data…