Intelligence Chiefs Begin Long Push to Renew Data Collection

Intelligence officials are already campaigning in Congress to renew the law that serves as the basis for US federal intelligence agencies to collect information on foreign individuals. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Amendments Act expires in December 2017. But because of its controversial history, spy agency heads are beginning to rally support for its renewal now. The provision permits the director of national intelligence and attorney general to target certain non-Americans outside the US and monitor their communications. With it, agencies can spy on foreigners who are believed to be threats to the US. Critics have hit back against the provision because it also serves as the basis for the National Security Agency’s bulk data collection program. That’s the program that Edward Snowden revealed was collecting information on millions of Americans.

At an open House Intelligence Committee hearing, the intelligence chiefs began making their case for the renewal of Section 702. Central Intelligence Agency Director John Brennan said, “702 is a critical tool for CIA for the collection for foreign intelligence as well as our operational activities.” Director Brennan added, “There have been numerous instances over the years where 702 has been instrumental in our ability to uncover and also help disrupt activities that are a threat to our national security interests.” He declined to elaborate further in an unclassified context. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper corroborated that sentiment and added that he and the intelligence community are working to get Congress on their side.