Rules governing how U.S. law enforcement can conduct electronic searches and mass surveillance are on the brink of change.
What Is the Current Rule 41?
In its current form, the rule says magistrate judges can only authorize electronic searches within their own jurisdictions.
What Are the New Changes?
The judge can also grant a warrant to perform web connection investigative techniques (i.e.
Why Is the U.S. Government Seeking the Changes?
The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) has pushed for the rule change since 2013.
That duplication of effort makes no sense.
Will the New Rules Affect Internet Users Outside the U.S.?
Do the Rule Changes Just Affect Criminal Suspects?
No, it has the potential to impact innocent users as well.
When Will the Rule 41 Changes Go into Effect?
Unless the U.S. Congress takes legislative action, the rule changes will go into effect in December of 2016.
And there is a chance Congress will act.
In addition, powerful tech companies are not sitting still.
In mid-May, Wyden proposed legislation called theStopping Mass Hacking Act.
This one-page bill seeks a Senate vote to block the changes ahead of the December 1 deadline.
), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.)
and Jon Tester (D-Mont.).
By late May, Congress members introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives.
What Do the Rule 41 Changes Mean for VPN and Tor Users?
The DOJ denies it will do so, but this topic makes the changes worthy of more debate.
Are Other Countries Enacting Similar Legislation?
Leaving on a Funny Note
TheStopping Mass Hacking Attacks Actis generally short-handed to the SMH Act.
Hopefully, innocent computer users wont be SMH after the FBI accesses their private information.
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