The Department of Justice has released a "Fact Sheet" about its response to the recent report that the FBI had abused the National Security Letter program. As part of the government's counterterrorism program, NSLs allow the government to compel companies to disclose phone, E-mail, and bank records about specific individuals without the immediate approval of a court.
A recent report by the FBI inspector general found, however, that the agency has failed to follow proper procedure in issuing and tracking the letters.
In the DOJ "Fact Sheet," Attorney General Alberto Gonzales writes that he and FBI Director Robert Mueller "agreed that such mistakes would not be tolerated, and the Attorney General ordered the FBI and the Justice Department to put in place safeguards to ensure greater oversight and controls over the use of NSLs."
Among the new safeguards:
- A "retrospective audit" of the previous use of NSLs in all 56 FBI field offices.
- Regular, comprehensive audits in the future.
- New training and guidance, including mandatory NSL training whenever an attorney with the FBI Office of General Counsel is traveling in the field.
- Clarified legislation regarding NSLs and "toll billing records information."
Etc.: The Eyes Have It: Secret surveillance programs and how far is too far, on USNews.com
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