Business Groups Want to Limit Patriot Act

[deadparrot]

WASHINGTON - Some prominent business organizations are complaining to Congress that the Patriot Act makes it too easy for the government to get confidential business records.

These groups endorsed proposed amendments on Wednesday that would require investigators to say how the information they seek is linked to individual suspected terrorists or spies. The changes also would allow businesses to challenge the requests in courts and speak publicly about those requests.

This is the first organized criticism from big business of the anti-terror law that was passed after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. It also comes as Congress heads toward a vote on whether to extend some disputed provisions that expire at year's end.

"Confidential files — records about our customers or our employees, as well as our trade secrets and other proprietary information — can too easily be obtained and disseminated under investigative powers expanded by the Patriot Act," six business groups wrote the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Arlen Specter (news, bio, voting record), R-Pa.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051005/ap_on_go_ot/patriot_act_business

[Straight Shooter]

1. The National Association of Realtors is included in that group.

Let's see how big of a punch they can give to the renewal of the *gag* Patriot Act.

[UpInArms]

2. cities, counties and now businessees

maybe reality is dawning anew.

[Hobarticus]

3. Hell, whole STATES are blowing off big chunks of the PA...

States' rights is a beautiful thing.

[stillcool]

4. Don't they know?

They have to pay to play.

[atommom]

5. Should be interesting to see whether they can make the administration

uncomfortable enough to consider changes. We know they don't care about public opinion, but business interests are another matter. As long as they've stayed on BushCo's good side...

[BootinUp]

6. I am really fucking worried about privacy for corporations!

:sarcasm: