The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is calling on all Americans to demand Congress close the backdoor search and data broker loopholes before considering any reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). CAIR also calls for the rejection of efforts by the House Intelligence Committee to expand warrantless surveillance, a move that threatens the privacy rights of individuals across the nation.
It is expected that the U.S. House of Representatives will vote sometime today or this week on legislation reauthorizing Section 702.
TAKE ACTION: URGE CONGRESS TO PROTECT YOUR DATA, REFORM SEC. 702!
Contact your representatives in the U.S. House and Senate immediately and urge them to: “Vote ‘NO’ on the reauthorization of FISA unless backdoor and data broker loopholes are closed. The unchecked warrantless surveillance of Americans must end now!”
Last month, CAIR joined 100 organizations, including Muslim Advocates, Muslims for Just Futures, and Lucy Parsons Labs, in a letter to Congress calling for an end to scapegoating of Pro-Palestine protests in order to expand mass surveillance – urging congressional leaders to support shutting down the backdoor search and data broker loopholes before considering any reauthorization of Section 702 of FISA.
As it stands, Section 702 permits government agencies like the FBI to collect phone records and internet activity of foreigners overseas. However, CAIR has long opposed Section 702 as it also allows the government to collect the phone records and internet activity of millions of Americans communicating with overseas family members, friends, schools, nonprofits, and businesses without a warrant. This authority has also been misused to surveil activists, journalists, and even Congressman Darin Lahood (R-IL).
It has also been revealed that the U.S. military in November 2020 and April 2022 similarly acquired Islamic prayer and marriage apps and cellphone metadata, leading to ongoing U.S. government surveillance of Muslims in the United States and abroad.
This data potentially provides insights into Muslims’ prayer habits, religious studies, precise locations, and interactions with others using these apps. Overseas, the metadata collected could be utilized by the U.S. military and CIA to target Muslims for further surveillance, drone operations, or other activities.
In February, Wired reported alarming tactics employed by Republican House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner to justify the continuation of the backdoor search loophole within FISA Section 702. Chairman Turner’s misguided efforts, citing ceasefire protests as a pretext, endanger privacy rights and perpetuate mass surveillance practices that undermine fundamental freedoms.
Chairman Turner and Democrat Jim Himes are advocating for legislation that would increase warrantless surveillance, targeting pro-Palestinian advocates, immigrants, and their families. This push disregards the Fourth Amendment and sets a dangerous precedent for unchecked government surveillance.
We must unite to hold our elected officials accountable and safeguard our privacy rights. Together, we can ensure that Congress prioritizes meaningful reforms that protect the constitutional rights of all Americans.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com, CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com