US Senate votes against bill to curb NSA

In the United States, members of the Senate could not agree on a law that would limit the powers of the NSA. This allows the organization to continue tapping communication lines for the time being.

During a session in the US Senate, the USA Freedom Act did not get enough votes to be passed, several US media outlets reported, including The Wall Street Journal. It took 60 votes to introduce the bill to the Senate, but only 57 senators approved it. As a result, it is not yet possible to vote on the law. The USA Freedom Act is intended to limit the powers of the NSA, and ensures, among other things, that mass communication data may no longer be collected. The NSA is then no longer allowed to use the so-called dragnet method.

Also part of the talks was an extension of the controversial Patriot Act. The law, which was introduced after the downing of the Twin Towers in 2001 and which, among other things, expanded the permitted listening capacities, will soon expire. The aim was to achieve a two-month extension. Not only did this fail, but the senators were unable to agree on a 24-hour extension. The law expires at the end of May; Shortly before the end of the month, the senators will resume talks to secure an extension. It is known that many American politicians want the Patriot Act to be amended.

Because the USA Freedom Act has not yet been passed, the powers of the NSA are not limited for the time being. However, if the senators also disagree about an extension of the Patriot Act, many powers to spy will expire. Previously passed en masse by the US House of Representatives, the USA Freedom Act was initially drafted to address growing discontent over the NSA’s wiretapping practices. Large tech companies such as Apple and Google are among others before the law.

Earlier, a judge ruled that the way NSA eavesdrops against the law. According to the judge, the mass wiretapping of millions of Americans goes far beyond the scope that the Patriot Act offers for such practices.