Angry over revelations of National Security Agency surveillance and frustrated with what they consider outdated digital privacy laws, state lawmakers around the nation are proposing bills to curtail the powers of law enforcement to monitor and track citizens.
Their efforts in at least 14 states are a direct message to the federal government: If you don't take action to strengthen privacy, we will.
Police groups, however, say the moves will in some cases hinder efforts to deter or solve crimes.
The measures aim to overhaul the definition of digital privacy and help increase oversight of specific surveillance tools that law enforcement agencies have been using in states that critics say mirrors federal surveillance technology.
Republican and Democratic lawmakers have joined in proposing the measures, reflecting the unusual mix of political partnerships the topic has created.
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