Daines introduces bill to prevent mass government hacking of U.S. citizens’ computers

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced bipartisan legislation on Thursday that would protect law-abiding citizens from government surveillance and hacking.

Under recently approved amendments to Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the government would be allowed to obtain a single warrant to hack an unlimited number of computers anywhere in the world, possibility without notification.

The Stop Mass Hacking (SMH) Act, S. 2952, introduced by Daines and U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), would prevent the approved changes from taking effect.

“Our law enforcement policies need to be updated to reflect 21st century realities with a process that is transparent, effective and protects our civil liberties,” Daines said. “We cannot give the federal government a blank check to infringe upon our liberties.” 

Without legislative intervention, the amendments to Rule 41 will go into effect on Dec. 1.

“This bill reins in the government’s ability to search and seize our personal electronic information,” Tester said. “Our right to privacy doesn’t end when we turn on a computer, send an email, or search the Internet. We must ensure that law enforcement agencies have the tools they need to keep us safe while also protecting our civil liberties, and this bill is a first step in that direction.”