USA PATRIOT Act
In response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Congress passed the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act or Patriot Act), which significantly increased the surveillance, and investigative powers of law enforcement agencies. The law also reduces the system of checks and balances on law enforcement that traditionally safeguards civil liberties. Many are troubled by the shroud of secrecy the government uses to cover its operations under the expanded powers from the Patriot Act. Others have raised strong concerns that provisions of the Patriot Act will cause a chilling effect on the first amendment, reducing media reporting on government activities.
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