On Wednesday’s CNN broadcast of “The Source,” Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D.W.A.) said the FBI “doesn’t have an immediate answer” on buying the personal information of Americans, citing FBI Director Christopher. Ray’s response was: The content of the hearings earlier in the day was not enough.
Host Kaitran Collins said, “Democrats were largely defending Director Wray while he was being attacked primarily by Republicans. The data, which could include a user’s location, health information, and even what they browsed online, was apparently legally collected independently by the FBI without a warrant. Data that cannot be obtained, but can be purchased on the open market … Was his answer good enough today, Senator?
Jayapal replied: “Katelan, they weren’t. To have them testify publicly before Congress, and we have serious concerns, and it’s not just me, and for those who don’t know, ODNI is the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The FBI is buying a ton of data from these data brokers, and that information includes everything from location information to medical information, and all sorts of private stuff I think. That’s where reports came out that the FBI may have been robbed, and the American public understands that they don’t want the FBI to do that…and this entire field of the FBI has been sent to the United States without a warrant. They are using people’s information and these are all warrantless investigations, they are backdoor searches, the information is used without our knowledge, we have a lot of information about this but the FBI has yet to give an answer.”
she continued. “So I ended my questioning of Secretary Wray by saying if he wants the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (which I happen to think is an important piece of legislation) to be reauthorized. But there are some very important things in that bill.” Important privacy issues. We need answers to this, and some important reforms to how the FBI uses Americans’ data and how we protect the privacy of Americans across this country. will be needed. ”
Collins then asked, “If that doesn’t convince you, you’re going to consider blocking reauthorization. Is that right?”
“If FISA is going to be reauthorized, I think it needs some pretty significant reforms,” Jayapal replied.
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