U.S. House votes to end NSA’s bulk collection of phone recordsMay 14, 2015 - 13:36 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to end the National Security Agency's bulk collection of Americans' phone records, BBC News reports. A 338-to-88 overwhelming vote in favor of the USA Freedom Act, already backed by the White House, means Senate backing would make it law. The bill would empower the agency to search data held by telephone companies on a case-by-case basis. Bulk collection was revealed in 2013 by ex-security contractor Edward Snowden. Supporters of the Freedom Act, including privacy and civil rights advocates, say it protects privacy while preserving national security powers. The bill, which only affects people within the U.S., would amend sections of the USA Patriot Act, which was passed after the 9/11 attacks and which will expire on June 1. The amendments would ban the agency's mass collection of telephone data - phone numbers, time and duration of calls - as well as emails and web addresses. "Americans' liberty and America's security can co-exist," said House Judiciary Committee chairman Bob Goodlatte, who voted in favor of the bill. "These fundamental concepts are not mutually exclusive." Earlier this month, a U.S. appeals court ruled that bulk collection of phone records by the National Security Agency was illegal. Photo: Riseearth Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Protest leader vows to achieve departure of Armenian authorities According to Archbishop Bagrat, there is only one solution to the situation in Armenia. Heads of Armenian, Ukrainian parliaments hold virtual talks Alen Simonyan and Ruslan Stefanchuk held talks via video conference on Tuesday, May 21. Pashinyan travels to Iran to pay tribute to Raisi, others Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has left for the Islamic Republic of Iran on a working visit. Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. |