U.S. lawmakers propose AI monitoring legislation to restrict federal agency data access through mandatory judicial warrants

Odaily Planet Daily News: U.S. Representatives Thomas Massie and Lauren Boebert jointly proposed the “Surveillance Accountability Act,” which would require U.S. federal agencies to obtain a judicial warrant when using artificial intelligence to conduct data analysis and monitoring. The bill aims to close a loophole in the “third-party doctrine,” a legal framework stemming from 1970s case law that allows the U.S. government to obtain users’ data from third-party platforms such as banks and telecommunications without a warrant. The bill’s proponents argue that in the internet and AI era, this principle has been extended too far, weakening protections for citizens’ privacy.

In addition, the bill also covers biometric surveillance and automatic license plate recognition systems, emphasizing that large-scale data collection could build “mosaic”-style personal profiles, thereby creating deeper privacy risks. The bill further proposes granting individuals the right to sue the U.S. government for violations of the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. It is reported that supporters say the proposal could restore judicial oversight mechanisms, while opponents believe mandatory warrant requirements may affect law enforcement efficiency. Against the backdrop of continuously strengthening AI-driven surveillance capabilities, the legislative contest in the U.S. over privacy and security is heating up further. (Decrypt)