In a noteworthy shift of policy, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has substantially diminished its practice of searching Americans through a database accumulated as part of a surveillance program without warrants. The number of inquiries under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) dropped by over half, to a reported total of 57,094, reveals the most recent annual transparency report released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
This decrease is believed to be a direct result of reforms implemented by the agency. This action was undertaken after civil rights groups and legislators across the political spectrum alleged misuse. This report unfolds at a time when the US Congress is grappling with the reauthorization of the spying authority.
Section 702 of FISA is argued to be the most crucial tool in the hands of the intelligence community. However, it has been a matter of contention due to divisions over the necessity to mandate warrants before conducting surveillance activities.
For more detailed information on the matter, the full report is available here.