This 2008 amendment allowed the government to destroy records of searches, increased the time period for warrantless searches from 48 hours to seven days, and permitted unauthorized surveillance during an “emergency situation.” Among other things, this amendment also releases electronic communication service providers from liability for providing “any information, facilities or assistance” under orders of the FISC.
The same year, an Internet company, later revealed to be Yahoo, was forced to turn over its users’ data, after its challenge to the FISC was rejected.
