FC: Justice Dept admits it snoops on library Internet use

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

DOJ Confirms FBI Agents Snoop in Libraries
G-men Learn Terror Suspects' Reading and Computer Habits

By James Gordon Meek
L.A. Daily Journal Staff Writer

Jan. 6, 2003

WASHINGTON -- The Department of Justice has confirmed in a letter to Senate
Judiciary Committee Democrats that FBI agents have snooped around public
libraries to learn the reading and Internet-surfing habits of suspected
terrorists.

         But in a letter provided to the Daily Journal, government
officials assured outgoing committee Chairman Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt., that
fears of civil liberties violations as a result of a recent anti-terrorism
law have been overblown.

         "Information has been sought from libraries on a voluntary basis
and under traditional law enforcement authorities not related to the
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act or the changes brought about by the
USA PATRIOT Act," Assistant Attorney General Daniel J. Bryant wrote in the
Dec. 23 letter. [...]

[...]

         "Various offices followed up on leads concerning e-mail and
Internet use information about specific hijackers from computers in public
libraries," the letter said.

[...]




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