23 July 2001
Source: Brian Walsh.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           CONTACT: Brian Walsh
MONDAY JULY 23, 2001                                                     202-225-2931; (877) 836-1325

        WASHINGTON D.C. -- The House of Representatives earlier today passed an amendment offered by Congressman Bob Barr (GA-7), requiring the Justice Department to disclose use of the Department's Carnivore surveillance system; an eavesdropping mechanism designed to monitor Internet traffic.  Barr's amendment, which was offered to address citizens' growing privacy concerns, passed as part of the annual Department of Justice appropriations bill.

        "With the rapid expansion of communications technology, more private conversations than ever before are open to government surveillance," Barr said.  "Over the past several years, I, and many other citizens, have repeatedly expressed concern over the use of expanded government surveillance systems, such as Carnivore.  Under the Department of Justice's interpretation of current law, the FBI is allowed to access virtually any e-mail, without probable cause.  That concerns me a great deal, and this amendment will require the Justice Department to fully disclose its use of this invasive surveillance technology."

        The Barr Amendment directs the Attorney General to provide a report at the end of Fiscal Years 2001 and 2002 to the Congress, detailing: the scope of the Carnivore program; how many times it has been approved for use during FY 2002; who at the Justice Department reviews surveillance requests; and the criteria used for approving such requests.

Barr, a former federal prosecutor, represents Georgia's Seventh District.  He serves on the House Financial Services, Judiciary, and Government Reform Committees.