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U.S. telecom companies escape snooping swoop
Senate gives get out of jail free card
The U.S. Senate has approved a law that will let telecom companies escape the consequences of helping the White House snoop on citizens.
Yesterday, the Senate passed, by a majority of 67 to 31, a revised FISA bill that grants retroactive immunity to the telecommunications companies that helped the government illegally tap American network traffic.
If it is approved by the U.S. House of Representatives, it will kill off the more than 40 lawsuits against telcom companies who allowed government agents to use their equipment to illegally spy on customers.
The House of Representatives version of the bill does not presently contain an immunity provision, however President Bush has said he will veto any such bill that reaches his desk without the grant of immunity.
More here.