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FBI Conducted Over 3.4 Million Warrantless Searches of Americans' Communications in a Single Year
Government Transparency

FBI Conducted Over 3.4 Million Warrantless Searches of Americans' Communications in a Single Year

The Intercept
January 29, 2026
1 min read
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The FBI conducted over 3.4 million warrantless searches of American citizens' communications in a single year, utilizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). This authority, intended for targeting foreign persons abroad, was used by the broader intelligence community for these searches, with the FBI alone performing over 200,000. These figures, reported by The Intercept and Brookings Institution, highlight significant concerns about privacy. A bipartisan SAFE Act has been proposed to require warrants for such searches, indicating ongoing debate and potential legislative action regarding the scope of government surveillance.

What's Being Done

Actions, solutions, and how to get involved

Lawmakers are actively debating and proposing legislation, such as the bipartisan SAFE Act, to require warrants for government searches of Americans' communications under FISA Section 702. Civil liberties organizations and privacy advocates are raising public awareness and pushing for reforms to protect constitutional rights. Readers can contact their elected representatives to express concerns about warrantless surveillance and support organizations like the ACLU or Electronic Frontier Foundation that advocate for privacy protections.

AI-researched overview of ongoing actions and responses

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Deep Dive

This story is part of our in-depth coverage:

Government Surveillance & Privacy

Investigating the expanding reach of government surveillance programs, data collection practices, and the ongoing battle between national security and civil liberties. From FISA courts to facial recognition — what's happening to your privacy.

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