[notepad0x90]

But still, it's very weird. You'd think this admin want to be able to round up people and disappear them with FISA court rulings, being able to spy on them first is usually the logical path.

They can purchase data from 3rd parties, but it is a felony to wiretap someone without the government asking you to. You need the user's cooperation to install an app with a nasty ToS or something of that nature. Lots of people are using VPNs too. This section is, from what I understand, what allowed them to add a "gag order" to the surveillance demand to companies as well? If they want google or apple to spy on someone without a warrant, this is the only way to force them without them making that information known to the public.

[vitally3643]

Current admin has demonstrated very clearly that they don't need excuses or plausible deniability. The only law is whoever is willing to stop them, which is, apparently, nobody.

[inigyou]

Two - three? - people tried very directly but they were probably staged to justify him getting even more power.

[lovich]

The courts occasionally will stop them but it appears that just committing crimes as fast as possible still accomplishes 99% of their goals without any way to fix the results of the crime.