(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The American internal intelligence agency updated its 2008 Domestic Investigations and Operations Guide, giving agents more scope to monitor the so-called 'people of interest'.
Privacy advocates say it is unwise to allow agents to use potentially intrusive techniques, especially when they lack a solid justification to suspect someone of wrongdoing.
According to the Washington Peace Center, the new rules infringe on privacy rights of US citizens and make individuals an easy target to be investigated at any instant.
“It's pretty scary, because it brings it home and that any of us could be targeted whether or not you are part of a peace organization whether you are part of a rights organization whether you are just somebody whose name sounds like somebody they are looking for,” said Director of the Washington Peace Center Sonia Silbert.
Under the revamped manual, around 14,000 agents will be allowed to search databases of individual Americans that have attracted their attention without making any record of the decision.
“I know Uncle Sam is watching, but I think this goes a little too far,” an American citizen said.
Currently, agents can search databases without real evidence of wrongdoing, but they must officially open an inquiry. However, the FBI says it's too much of a hassle and time-consuming for agents to open formal inquiries before running quick checks on databases.
“There is potential for abuse, but there is also less and less ability to be held accountable for abuse when it does happen,” Silbert added.
Also, under the new guidelines, agents can use lie detector tests not just on suspects, but on potential informants.
Moreover, they are allowed to search through the garbage bags of potential informants to find information to use against them and to put pressure on that person to assist the government in the investigation of others.
The new rules add to several measures taken over the past decade to give FBI agents more latitude as they search for signs of what they call criminal or terrorist activity.
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