Bush Legislation Increases Telecom Powers And Raises Privacy Issues

President Bush signed legislation Friday that expands the ability to tap telephones and track Internet usage in the hunt for terrorists, new powers that drew praise from law enforcement officials and concern from civil libertarians. The bill, known as the USA . . . President Bush signed legislation Friday that expands the ability to tap telephones and track Internet usage in the hunt for terrorists, new powers that drew praise from law enforcement officials and concern from civil libertarians. The bill, known as the USA Patriot Act, gives federal authorities much wider latitude in monitoring Internet usage and expands the way such data is shared among different agencies.

"Today, we take an essential step in defeating terrorism while protecting the constitutional rights of all Americans," Bush said during a signing ceremony. The House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 357-66 on Wednesday, and the Senate on Thursday approved the measure 98-1.

Attorney General John Ashcroft vowed Thursday to use the new powers to track down suspected terrorists relentlessly.

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