Easing of FBI Internet access sought

The Obama Administration reportedly wants to include e-mail addresses and an Internet user’s browser history to the list of information that can be acquired by the bureau without a judge’s permission

July 29, 2010 09:48 am | Updated 12:26 pm IST - WASHINGTON

FBI sleuths speak at the back door of a van outside a home in Massachusettes. File photo

FBI sleuths speak at the back door of a van outside a home in Massachusettes. File photo

The Obama administration reportedly wants to make it easier for the FBI to obtain records on individual Internet activities without first obtaining a court order when it involves terrorism or intelligence investigations.

The Washington Post reported on its website Wednesday night that the administration wants to add to the list of items that can be obtained without a judge’s permission any “electronic communication transactional records.”

The report said this new category of information could include e-mail addresses, times and dates that e-mails are sent and received, and possibly an Internet user’s browser history.

The newspaper said the data would not include actual content of e-mails and other communications.

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