Patriot Act
Definition
The USA PATRIOT Act (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism) is a law passed after the September 11 terrorist attacks that expanded the surveillance powers of federal law enforcement agencies.
Analogy
Think of the Patriot Act like a school's new security system installed after a break-in. It gives authorities more tools to monitor and prevent potential threats, but it also raises questions about students' privacy rights.
Related terms
Civil Liberties: These are basic rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, such as freedom of speech or religion. The Patriot Act has been criticized for potentially infringing on these liberties in its pursuit of security.
Surveillance State: This term refers to a society where government authorities closely monitor citizens' activities, often justified by national security needs - something critics argue the Patriot Act contributes to.
National Security Letters (NSLs): These are administrative subpoenas issued by the FBI under the authority granted by the Patriot Act, allowing them to demand data about individuals from third parties without prior court approval.
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