Supreme court grants FBI massive expansion of powers to hack computers

[Live and Learn]

Supreme court grants FBI massive expansion of powers to hack computers

The US Congress has seven months to block a potentially massive expansion of the government’s ability to hack into suspects’ computers.

At the FBI’s request this week, the supreme court ruled that federal judges should be able to issue hacking warrants to federal law enforcement for anywhere in the US if the suspect has tried to hide their location, as criminal suspects are wont to do.

Additionally, the FBI could get authority to infiltrate any computer – regardless of the owner – if it has already been taken over by bad hackers.

The changes to so-called “rule 41” go into effect 1 December unless Congress acts to block them. The move has set up a showdown with Senator Ron Wyden, the most senior Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee, who is marshaling the opposition on Capitol Hill. He told the Guardian on Friday that he plans to introduce a bill blocking the court’s move.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/supreme-court-grants-fbi-massive-expansion-of-powers-to-hack-computers/ar-BBssovn?ocid=SL5BDHP

[Live and Learn]

1. Wow, nothing? I remember when DU cared about issues like this. nt

[davidn3600]

2. If a Democrat is in office, many here don't care

If Trump wins you'll suddenly see a massive flood of anti-government talk on DU. But as long as the Democrats control the White House, no one will care what powers Big Brother amasses.

[Live and Learn]

3. Very true and sad. nt