U.S.A. Patriot Act

(Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism)

Dublin Core

Title

U.S.A. Patriot Act

(Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism)

Description

The Patriot Act has undergone many criticisms and sparked controversies for years. The Patriot Act became law October 26, 2001 after the September 11th terrorist attack against the United States.

Essentially, this law permits law enforcement agencies' the ability to search any citizen's phone, email, medical and other records at any time. It also amended the Immigration and Nationality Act to open up the scope of "aliens" to be deported due to involvement in terrorist activities or even just association with terrorist groups. The Patriot Act also expands the definition of terrorism to domestic terrorism, which gives more power to law enforcement agencies to search through people's information.

Even though national leaders like Hilary Clinton speak about the importance of internet freedom, the Patriot Act seems to contradict the notion that every citizen should have personal online privacy and freedoms. For a more detailed summary, go here.

Date

October 26, 2001

Zotero

Public Law Number

107-56

Citation

Rep. James Sensenbrenner , "U.S.A. Patriot Act (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism)," in Cyberwar Resources Guide, Item #188, https://www.projectcyw-d.org/resources/items/show/188 (accessed December 22, 2024).