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A.C.L.U. Sues Obama Administration Over Phone Logs

by Lane Florsheim

In the first legal challenge to the N.S.A. collection of U.S. phone customer data, the American Civil Liberties Union is suing the Obama administration. The A.C.L.U. argues that the "dragnet" collection of phone records is illegal and should be shut down, with current records destroyed.

The A.C.L.U. lawsuit was filed Tuesday in New York and has the potential to seriously affect national security policies. The A.C.L.U., a Verizon Business Network Services customer, contends that the collection policy could have a "chilling" effect on whistle-blowers who would want to contact the A.C.L.U. for legal assistance. The complaint alleges that the program gives the government a "wealth of detail about our familial, political, professional, religious and intimate associations."

...Oof. No word yet from the Justice Department. Stay tuned.

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