US Spying Practices Met with Skepticism from Both Sides of the Aisle, According to AP-NORC Poll

US Public Skeptical of Surveillance Programs

A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that the American public is hesitant about common intelligence practices and the need to sacrifice civil liberties for security. The Biden Administration intends to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows spy agencies to collect large amounts of foreign and US citizen communications for intelligence purposes, such as stopping spies and tracking enemies.

Republicans and Democrats Skeptical of Surveillance Tactics

The poll indicates that Republicans and Democrats share similar views on intelligence practices, with some Republican voters believing it is less necessary to sacrifice freedom in response to threats. This change in attitude is due in part to an increase in skepticism about the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and intelligence agencies, with many conservatives accusing them of targeting conservatives with their powers.

Carter Burwell, a former chief counsel to Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, stated that over the past five to ten years, there has been a rise of “the libertarian wing of the Republican Party.” This group is the “antigovernment wing of the Republican Party” and is just as vocal and powerful as the left flank, which has been the more vocal objector of government surveillance.

Decrease in Public Support for Sacrificing Privacy Rights

The poll asked US adults whether they support tactics authorized by Section 702, revealing that only 28% of adults support the government listening to phone calls made outside the US without a warrant, whereas 44% oppose the practice. The public is more accepting of surveillance of activities outside of the US rather than practices that encroach on their privacy.

In the latest poll, 48% of Americans said they believe it is necessary to sacrifice their rights and freedoms to prevent terrorism, which is down from the 2021 figure of 54% and the two-thirds of Americans who felt the same way in 2011. There has been a significant shift in attitude among Republicans, with only 44% saying it’s sometimes necessary compared to 69% in 2011.

Government Must Overcome Bipartisan Anger

US intelligence officials believe Section 702 is necessary to protect national security and counter China, Russia, and other adversaries. However, the government needs to overcome widespread bipartisan anger at the FBI to get the law renewed. Republican and Democrat lawmakers have voiced their concerns about Section 702, with some calling for an end to US surveillance without a warrant. Intelligence officials have tightened requirements around consulting with lawyers when conducting sensitive searches of databases.

Expert Opinion and Final Thoughts

Glenn Gerstell, a former general counsel at the National Security Agency who is advocating for Section 702’s extension, believes the law will be renewed, with some amendments to improve civil liberties. Gerstell believes that Congress should focus on technical issues and not public opinion. However, there are political factors driving this debate, given the bipartisan suspicion of intelligence agencies and the FBI.

It’s essential to strengthen civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy rights when renewing the surveillance law. The government must not take the public’s declining support for sacrificing their privacy rights lightly, and lawmakers need to heed their constituents’ voices. Caution is needed to ensure there is a balance between national security and personal privacy rights, avoiding the mistakes made in the past that resulted in the FBI targeting specific groups of people.