October 13, 2017 Renewal of FISA’s Section 702: Why America Needs the Provision
Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) is up for reauthorization by Congress by the end of 2017. The Section 702 program targets non-U.S. persons reasonably believed to be located outside the United States in order to acquire foreign intelligence.
Friday, Oct 13, 2017
8:30 am - 11:00 am
The Heritage Foundation
Agenda
Session 1 – 8:30-8:45 a.m.
An Overview from the DNI on Section 702 – Why Its Renewal Matters
The Honorable Daniel Coats, Director of National Intelligence
Session 2 – 8:45-9:45 a.m.
Collection and the Imperative for Section 702 in Support of Counterterrorism
Admiral Michael Rogers, Director, National Security Agency
Session 3 – 10:00-11:00 a.m.
The Use of Section 702 by the FBI as a Tool for National Security
The Honorable Christopher Wray, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Hosted by
David Shedd
Former Acting Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency
and Visiting Distinguished Fellow, The Heritage Foundation -- Moderator
Description
Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) is up for reauthorization by Congress by the end of 2017. The Section 702 program targets non-U.S. persons reasonably believed to be located outside the United States in order to acquire foreign intelligence. Over the past several years, this surveillance of the online activities of foreigners has provided invaluable information with some estimates placing 702 collection as accounting for more than 25 percent of all current intelligence collected by America’s intelligence professionals under persistent oversight. Incidental collection of U.S. personal data has been used by critics of the program to seek major changes to Section 702 as a condition for reauthorization. The proposed adjustments appear misplaced but should be openly debated. The program is so vital to America’s security that Congress should reauthorize Section 702 in its current form.
ISSUE BRIEF 10 min read
BACKGROUNDER 29 min read
COMMENTARY 4 min read