US intelligence agencies will lose key surveillance powers when Section 702 expires on June 12, 2026. The program collects foreign data but sweeps in Americans' communications without warrants. Congress has postponed this deadline multiple times.
Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act gives US spy agencies the power to collect communications from foreigners overseas. They do this without needing a warrant. In practice, the program often gathers emails, messages, and calls from Americans as well. This has raised serious concerns about privacy for many years.
The authority behind this mass collection is due to run out at midnight on June 12, 2026. Lawmakers in Congress have spent months pushing back the deadline instead of making a final decision. They have avoided a clear vote on whether to renew or end the program.
The expiration marks a potential shift in how the government handles surveillance. Without this authority, agencies may need new rules or warrants to continue similar activities. Privacy advocates see this as a chance to protect personal data from unchecked collection.
Original Author: India McKinney | Source: EFF
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