U.S. Senate’s Latest Bill Raises Concern In Crypto Community

The U.S. Senate recently passed a troubling bill that re-authorized warrantless mass spying on the American public.

However, the act wasn’t simply re-authorized, it was overhauled and expanded in a major way.

The powers laid out in the FISA re-authorization bill essentially allow the U.S. government to compel anyone, big or small, to be a tool of mass surveillance.

These sweeping surveillance powers outlined in the FISA reauthorization bill, more specifically Section 702 of FISA, have many many in the crypto community concerned. According to Coin Paprika:

This has caused unease in the cryptocurrency community, which prioritizes privacy and decentralization, due to the extensive reach of these powers.

Critics, including Senator Ron Wyden, argue that Section 702 could be misused to gather unnecessary data on American citizens.

Do we really want corrupt DC lawmakers and bureaucrats like Gary Gensler to wield these expanded powers?

Current and former Liberty-minded U.S. lawmakers spoke out against the passage of the bill:

GUESS who gets an exemption from the massive domestic surveillance expansion in the FISA reauthorization bill?

Members of congress.

They need permission to spy on members of Congress.

This is absolutely insane.

🚨🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/1sEg1FXrzt

— Wall Street Silver (@WallStreetSilv) April 21, 2024

I spoke with @ericbolling about a red flag in the FISA reauthorization bill. The bill contains a carve-out giving Members of Congress special treatment if the FBI spies on them without a warrant.

FISA must protect all Americans from warrantless searches, not just Congressmen! pic.twitter.com/FmCbbCIgH6

— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) April 15, 2024

🧵 2/4

My 1st amendment included my bipartisan 4th Amendment is Not for Sale Act (already passed by the House). It would have ended the government’s practice of buying its way around the Bill of Rights by purchasing Americans’ personal data.

Defeated 31-61

— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) April 20, 2024

Buried deep in the FISA Section 702 re-authorization bill is absolutely shocking language exponentially broadening the US government's ability to spy on Americans without a warrant.

Turning your plumber into a federal spy agent against you? It's in there! Your gardener? Yep.… pic.twitter.com/fVLVFKNJE2

— Ron Paul (@RonPaul) April 17, 2024

On Saturday, The Hill confirmed:

President Biden signed a bill Saturday extending the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act’s (FISA) warrantless surveillance program another two years.

Senators voted 60-34 to send the bill to Biden’s desk shortly after the midnight deadline.

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