Some changes in the rules will give F.B.I. agents more latitude to search the lives of those people who attract their attention. Once enforced, they can use these new powers to search databases or go through household trash. A watch team can also be used to look into the lives of people who behave unusually. These changes are part of the bureau’s new manual called the Domestic Investigation and Operations Guide.
With the revised rules, F.B.I. agents can act with greater degree of “freedom” to foresee any criminal or terrorist activity. Their authority is enhanced, empowering them to investigate suspicious people. However, there are some unfavorable reactions from some individuals, especially those who advocate privacy. One of them said that the decrease of restrictions on agents’ powers was rather unwise. There is a possibility that agents might use intrusive techniques on innocent people. There were abuses that occurred in the past and these can still occur. Problems involving “national security letters” that allowed agents to obtain information without a court order were once controversial.
To support the F.B.I.’s action, a spokesperson said that problems involving national security letters have previously been fixed and would not recur. There was a clarification regarding it, stating that changes in the bureau’s manual do not need any consent. Adequate studies were made concerning the risks and the benefits that such changes will bring bout. The counsel further stated that there were no changes made but only fine tuning.
The “assessment” category was one of the areas that needed fine tuning, considered as the lowest category of investigations. The new rule allows agents to scrutinize persons and organizations even for just a feeling of doubt. The old rule required that agents needed to have an inquiry before conducting a search for information about a person. The new rule does not require them to submit a report of the results of the process. An ACLU lawyer said that the new changes cannot detect those who have personal purposes to have easier access to databases.
A bureau spokesperson explained that F.B.I.’s purpose for the new changes is to simplify the process. It would be cumbersome for agents to oblige them to open formal inquiries every time they do a quick check. Agents have to present an assessment report before using the information they have gathered from the search.
There are other changes that give additional leeway to loosen the grip on the hands of agents that were tied for a long time. These changes are aimed at granting them wider latitude to perform searches. These can be done even without a firm reason to affirm that there is suspicious activity. The increase of privacy bounds is a topic that creates different reactions from critics and the public.
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