Privacy Group Sues Justice Department for Access to NSA Surveillance ReportsMadison Ruppert This is just the latest in a string of cases attempting to challenge NSA surveillance programs in court. Most recently, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) argued that one aspect of NSA surveillance violates the Constitution and even exceeds the Patriot Act. In November, the Supreme Court refused to hear another case brought by EPIC that challenged the legality of dragnet telephone surveillance conducted by the NSA. In this latest lawsuit, EPIC is attempting to obtain semiannual reports under the Freedom of Information Act, which reportedly contain statistics on the now-discontinued surveillance program, according to The Hill. Previously, the director of national intelligence stated that the program was discontinued in 2011 because it was no longer meeting the operational expectations that NSA had for it. The program reportedly collected what is known as metadata, but not the actual contents of Internet communications. The collection of Internet metadata was carried out under Section 402 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). This provision allows for so-called pen register and trap and trace surveillance, a type of surveillance which has been used on a widespread basis. FISA requires the Department of Justice to create semiannual reports for the intelligence committees of the House and Senate, detailing the use of Section 402 surveillance. The government has been harshly criticized in the past for the secrecy surrounding FISA, especially the governments secret interpretation of the law. The Hill reports that the semiannual reports probably include statistics revealing the scope and size of the NSAs dragnet surveillance program. EPIC has requested an expedited ruling, which would order the Justice Department to release the documents within 20 days. A spokesman for the Justice Department did not respond to The Hills attempt to get a comment on the lawsuit. Id love to hear your opinion, take a look at your story tips and even your original writing if you would like to get it published. I am also available for interviews on radio, television or any other format. Please email me at Admin@EndtheLie.com Please support our work and help us start to pay contributors by doing your shopping through our Amazon link or check out some must-have products at our store. This article first appeared at End the Lie. 