A letter (PDF file) sent to members of Congress October 2 by the American Library Association, the Association of Research Libraries, and the American Association of Law Libraries calls on lawmakers to move cautiously in passing antiterrorism legislation in response to the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The letter asked Congress “to balance the impact of any legislative and regulatory proposals on the privacy and First Amendment rights of library users.”
The groups expressed concern “that some of the legislation proposed thus far threatens the rights of the public and undermines the confidentiality that is crucial for the flow of information needed for the provision of library services and importantly, the vitality of our democracy.” Specific areas of concern were expansion to the Internet of pen register and trap-and-trace devices used to capture phone numbers, expansion of access to business records, expansion of access to educational-institution record, expansion of the definition of terrorism, and mandates for technology.
The House and Senate are each expected to pass their versions of the legislation this week, which will then have to be reconciled in negotiations.
Posted October 8, 2001.