The USA-PATRIOT Act, signed into law in October of 2001, gives federal officials expanded access to information. Officials can request information from colleges and universities, including materials relevant to computer network traffic, such as individual email and Web activities, without having to disclose that a ny such request has been made. For more information about the PATRIOT Act, browse the following links:
Full
Text of the USA-PATRIOT Act from the Electronic
Summary of the Act from The Library of Congress
Materials from Educause:
Civil
Privacy and National Security Legislation: A Three-Dimensional View by Dr.
Tracy Mitrano, Policy Advisor for
USA Patriot Act: How to be Response Ready by Nicole Rivard, Un iversity Business (2002)