Judge Rules Against FBI Snooping Into Customer Files Without Warrant

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Judge rules secret FBI letters unconstitutional

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — They're called national security letters and the FBI issues thousands of them a year to banks, phone companies and other businesses demanding customer information. They're sent without judicial review and recipients are barred from disclosing them.

On Friday, a federal judge in San Francisco declared the letters unconstitutional, saying the secretive demands for customer data violate the First Amendment.

The government has failed to show that the letters and the blanket non-disclosure policy "serve the compelling need of national security," and the gag order creates "too large a danger that speech is being unnecessarily restricted," U.S. District Judge Susan Illston wrote.

She ordered the FBI to stop issuing the letters, but put that order on hold for 90 days so the U.S. Department of Justice can pursue an appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The DOJ said it is reviewing the decision.

FBI counter-terrorism agents began issuing the letters after Congress passed the USA Patriot Act in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20130316/US--Secret.FBI.Letters/

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Good. If the FBI wants my personal data they should be forced to get a warrant or read facebook like everyone else.

Funny story-- I bought an Iphone cover at the local apple store the other day. Paid cash. It was the wrong color so we took it back...

Clerk--- I need your ID phone number and address for an exchange

Ma'Am- I paid cash and I am not asking for a refund just an exchange and HERE IS THE RECEIPT

Cashier--- I am sorry sir our policy requires us to collect this information

Me- I am sorry Ma;am my policy frobids me to give this information unless there is a valid reason you may need it. I paid cash, I have a reciept and all I am wanting to is exchange for a like item of a different color. You have absolutely no reason to gather all my personal info to put in your database.

Cashier-- Let me get the Manager

Manager-- Sir what is the issue

Me- I explained it again in detail and explained I do not hand out my personal info to databases unless their is a clear need to do so. I.E. confirming ID if using a Credit card or cash.

Manager-- I don't understand what the big deal is

Me- It's a big deal because I have some expectation of privacy and anyone that is paying attention should do the same

Manager-- Well sir, we don't use your information for any purpose.

Me- Well then why do you need it ?

Manager-- Obviously irritated let's me make the exchange but was very curt during the rest of the process.

All of you should refuse giving out personal info for no reason. So many times I am asked for my number when paying cash. I always refuse.

[james&olya 1,121]

Good. If the FBI wants my personal data they should be forced to get a warrant or read facebook like everyone else.

Funny story-- I bought an Iphone cover at the local apple store the other day. Paid cash. It was the wrong color so we took it back...

Clerk--- I need your ID phone number and address for an exchange

Ma'Am- I paid cash and I am not asking for a refund just an exchange and HERE IS THE RECEIPT

Cashier--- I am sorry sir our policy requires us to collect this information

Me- I am sorry Ma;am my policy frobids me to give this information unless there is a valid reason you may need it. I paid cash, I have a reciept and all I am wanting to is exchange for a like item of a different color. You have absolutely no reason to gather all my personal info to put in your database.

Cashier-- Let me get the Manager

Manager-- Sir what is the issue

Me- I explained it again in detail and explained I do not hand out my personal info to databases unless their is a clear need to do so. I.E. confirming ID if using a Credit card or cash.

Manager-- I don't understand what the big deal is

Me- It's a big deal because I have some expectation of privacy and anyone that is paying attention should do the same

Manager-- Well sir, we don't use your information for any purpose.

Me- Well then why do you need it ?

Manager-- Obviously irritated let's me make the exchange but was very curt during the rest of the process.

All of you should refuse giving out personal info for no reason. So many times I am asked for my number when paying cash. I always refuse.

Wow Herschel, you really showed the man! I am so impressed!

[himher 634]

Good. If the FBI wants my personal data they should be forced to get a warrant or read facebook like everyone else.

Funny story-- I bought an Iphone cover at the local apple store the other day. Paid cash. It was the wrong color so we took it back...

Clerk--- I need your ID phone number and address for an exchange

Ma'Am- I paid cash and I am not asking for a refund just an exchange and HERE IS THE RECEIPT

Cashier--- I am sorry sir our policy requires us to collect this information

Me- I am sorry Ma;am my policy frobids me to give this information unless there is a valid reason you may need it. I paid cash, I have a reciept and all I am wanting to is exchange for a like item of a different color. You have absolutely no reason to gather all my personal info to put in your database.

Cashier-- Let me get the Manager

Manager-- Sir what is the issue

Me- I explained it again in detail and explained I do not hand out my personal info to databases unless their is a clear need to do so. I.E. confirming ID if using a Credit card or cash.

Manager-- I don't understand what the big deal is

Me- It's a big deal because I have some expectation of privacy and anyone that is paying attention should do the same

Manager-- Well sir, we don't use your information for any purpose.

Me- Well then why do you need it ?

Manager-- Obviously irritated let's me make the exchange but was very curt during the rest of the process.

All of you should refuse giving out personal info for no reason. So many times I am asked for my number when paying cash. I always refuse.

He prolly dropped a dime on you LOL. Next time you fly you will be on the no-fly list

Edited March 17, 2013 by himher

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Good. If the FBI wants my personal data they should be forced to get a warrant or read facebook like everyone else.

Funny story-- I bought an Iphone cover at the local apple store the other day. Paid cash. It was the wrong color so we took it back...

Clerk--- I need your ID phone number and address for an exchange

Ma'Am- I paid cash and I am not asking for a refund just an exchange and HERE IS THE RECEIPT

Cashier--- I am sorry sir our policy requires us to collect this information

Me- I am sorry Ma;am my policy frobids me to give this information unless there is a valid reason you may need it. I paid cash, I have a reciept and all I am wanting to is exchange for a like item of a different color. You have absolutely no reason to gather all my personal info to put in your database.

Cashier-- Let me get the Manager

Manager-- Sir what is the issue

Me- I explained it again in detail and explained I do not hand out my personal info to databases unless their is a clear need to do so. I.E. confirming ID if using a Credit card or cash.

Manager-- I don't understand what the big deal is

Me- It's a big deal because I have some expectation of privacy and anyone that is paying attention should do the same

Manager-- Well sir, we don't use your information for any purpose.

Me- Well then why do you need it ?

Manager-- Obviously irritated let's me make the exchange but was very curt during the rest of the process.

All of you should refuse giving out personal info for no reason. So many times I am asked for my number when paying cash. I always refuse.

I had almost the same experience at Best Buy. They asked for my license to do a cash return with a receipt. I also refused. I paid cash, the product is unopened and here is my receipt. And to boot it was only about $10. Similar result with manager mumbling about it is stated on the back of the receipt that a valid id is needed for a return. So I asked what if I don't drive? What if it was a 12 year kid returning something? Blank stare.

[TBoneTX 46,171]

Businesses seem to think that they're entitled to our personal information. They should instead be grateful for our patronage.

You guys handled it well, si men. Had I been in your situation, and depending on how irritated I was, I'd have collected names and pursued it as far up the line as necessary for scalps to be collected or corporate policies to be changed, si man.

Part of the problem might be that the younger on-line generation is used to divulging such information and are unaware of the dangers that one can incur by revealing it willy-nilly.

In regard to the original post: Although it may be too little too late, some judges are finally remembering what our Rights are for.

Edited March 17, 2013 by TBoneTX

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Wow Herschel, you really showed the man! I am so impressed!

Well sit down for this.. The manager was a chick. Who would think right. Not sure I would have flexed all up on a man like that

[Darnell 8,479]

I always give them - George Jetson, telephone # BR-549.

I swear, it's funny - but they have tracked all of my purchases this way.

Perhaps you can use a cartoon character name also?

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

I always give them - George Jetson, telephone # BR-549.

I swear, it's funny - but they have tracked all of my purchases this way.

Perhaps you can use a cartoon character name also?

Actually that was Junior Samples number in Hee-Haw but what the heck. George Jetson and Junior Samples are close right ?

Not being a redneck I would not expect you to know that

Try Venus-1234 for Georges number.

[Darnell 8,479]

yes yes, I crossed the streams, and it shows.

Good on ya for catching it.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

yes yes, I crossed the streams, and it shows.

Good on ya for catching it.

II grew up in Georgia in the 70's we had hidden playboys, Baptist preachers and he-haw and very little else