President Bush today signed into law the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Amendments Act of 2008. The legislation overhauls US wiretapping and surveillance laws. 

Most notably, the (FISA) Amendments Act contains two key provisions. One now expands the power of the nation’s intelligence agencies to eavesdrop on the communications of suspected terrorists under emergency circumstances without a court order, but stipulates that the agencies must go through a FISA court in order to obtain permission to conduct routine electronic surveillance. Also, the bill provides retroactive immunity to telecom companies from invasion of privacy lawsuits brought by individuals concerned over the industry’s participation in warrantless surveillance under the Bush Administration.  

On the heels of the President signing the legislation, The American Civil Liberties Union, Amenesty International, Human Rights Watch, and other civil liberty groups filed a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court over concerns that the legislation threatens American’s privacy.

 Sources: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/07/20080710-2.html, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/washington/10fisa.html?bl&ex=1215748800&en=bfa61dce8f16e341&ei=5087%0A, http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN1044211720080710