Starting in 2029, U.S. courts will begin publicly disclosing data on FBI spyware and hacking tool authorizations for wiretaps, following pressure from Senator Ron Wyden and privacy advocates.
Congress failed to pass a three-week extension for FISA Section 702, a controversial surveillance program, leading to its lapse. Proponents warn of national security risks, while critics argue the "going dark" narrative is misleading and push for reforms like warrant requirements for US person data.
Italy's Justice Minister Carlo Nordio has ordered an investigation into alleged wiretapping of lawyer-client communications at Perugia's Capanne prison following a meeting with the Italian Union of Criminal Chambers. The probe aims to clarify the alleged violation of defense confidentiality.
Russia's FSB has exposed a large-scale scheme by foreign intelligence services to install spyware on officials' phones, enabling wiretapping, audio/video control, and data collection. Affected officials were subsequently blacklisted and pressured by the US and EU.
Perugia's Attorney General Sergio Sottani stated that there is no evidence of procedural use of wiretaps conducted without authorization, following protests by lawyers concerned about intercepted conversations with clients.
Congress has reauthorized Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act for 45 days, until June 14, 2026, to allow time for reform negotiations. The House passed the bill 261-111 on Thursday after the Senate settled on a 45-day extension following debate between Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), who wanted three weeks, and Tom Cotton (R-AR), who cited the program's use in a recent US raid on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The legislation includes some reforms but does not include a warrant requirement for US person queries, drawing criticism from privacy advocates who call it 'empty-calories.'
