Becker Bible Studies Library

Tools

The development and implementation of tools
to control movement of people in the world

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Lu 21:36 AV)

Homeland Security plans emergency alert transmission for cell phones and Internet - 07/12/2006

The Homeland Security Department expects to be able to send emergency alerts to cell phones, Internet sites and hand-held computers to reach as many people as possible before a catastrophe strikes by the end of next year. It also seeks to transmit warnings on cable TV channels and satellite radio to supplement the government's national alerts on network channels and AM radio stations.

The President of the United States orders a national emergency alert to be activated. The system was first designed to warn Americans of a nuclear attack, but President Bush ordered Homeland Security to extend the alert "for situations of war, terrorist attack, natural disaster or other hazards to public safety and well-being."

Liberal surveillance powers sought by new spy chief - 04/11/2007

Mike McConnell, President Bush's new spy chief as National Intelligence Director, has circulated a draft bill that would expand the government's powers under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, liberalizing how that law can be used. The 1978 FISA law was was passed to allow surveillance in espionage and other foreign intelligence investigations.

McConnell wants the FISA law to...

Give the NSA the power to monitor foreigners without seeking FISA court approval, even if the surveillance is conducted by tapping phones and e-mail accounts in the United States.

Clarify the standards the FBI and NSA must use to get court orders for basic information about calls and e-mails - such as the number dialed, e-mail address, or time and date of the communications.

Triple the life span of a FISA warrant for a non-U.S. citizen from 120 days to one year, allowing the government to monitor much longer without checking back in with a judge.

Give telecommunications companies immunity from civil liability for their cooperation with Bush's terrorist surveillance program. (Verizon and AT&T allege they violated privacy laws by giving phone records to the NSA for the program, to which they now have pending lawsuits against them).

Extend from 72 hours to one week the amount of time the government can conduct surveillance without a court order in emergencies.

McConnell will appear at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on April 17, 2007, to propose the amendments to the FISA law.

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