Kevin Bankston of EFF updates us on the progress of Conyers’ PATRIOT renewal and reform bill, the USA Patriot Amendments Act of 2009 (HR 3845): The mark-up got off to a somewhat worrisome start when Chairman Conyers introduced a “manager’s amendment” making numerous changes to the bill to address concerns raised by the Obama Administration…
Category: U.S.
Calif. Justices Seem OK With DNA-Based Warrant
Mike McKee reports: ….. At issue in People v. Robinson , S158528, is whether an unknown suspect’s DNA profile — as opposed to a physical description — can satisfy the so-called particularity requirement for issuing a “John Doe” warrant, and whether such warrants toll the statute of limitations for bringing criminal charges. A third issue…
U.S. regulators looking at shareholder anonymity
Emily Chasan reports: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is exploring reforms that could provide companies with more information about the identity of their shareholders, a top agency official said on Wednesday. Companies usually have little information about stockholders due to long-standing practices about shareholder anonymity, and many would like better ways to contact them….
DOJ Settles Former Drug Agent’s Suit for $3 million
The federal government has agreed to settle for $3 million a long-running suit in federal district court in Washington that alleged a former CIA officer and a State Department official unlawfully eavesdropped on a drug enforcement agent in Burma. The terms of the agreement were detailed in court papers filed Tuesday night in the U.S….