washington bipartisan group lawmakers u.s. congress thursday ask justice department clarify loom rule change government hack power could impact privacy right innocent americans change due take place december would let judge issue search warrant remote access computers locate jurisdiction potentially include foreign countries magistrate judge normally order search within jurisdiction court typically limit counties concern full scope new authority would provide department justice 23 senators representatives write attorney general loretta lynch supreme court april approve amendments rule 41 federal rule criminal procedure would allow judge issue warrant case suspect use anonymizing technology conceal location computer investigation network hack infect computers botnet amendments take effect december year unless congress pass legislation would reject amend postpone change lawmakers lead democratic senator ron wyden oregon introduce legislation would halt change yet gain much traction letter lawmakers ask government would prevent expand rule so-called forum shop prosecutors seek warrant district consider favorable law enforcement also ask justice department intend notify users electronic devices search whether law enforcement authority disable malicious software protect device include belong innocent americans among question justice department work rule 41 change years argue procedural nature necessary keep pace criminal threats pose evolve technology civil liberties group technology company include alphabet inc google say change could allow search run afoul privacy right justice department review lawmakers letter ask response within two weeks spokesman peter carr say u.s. lawmakers raise privacy concern new hack rule