FISA spy law snagged in nearly two-decade fight over feds snooping on Americans’ data The recent short-term extension of a law providing the government with essential spy powers has offered privacy advocates in Congress a potential opportunity. They hope this extension will enable them to eliminate “backdoor searches” of Americans’ communications. This development stems from a long-standing debate over government surveillance.

• A short-term extension of a law granting government spy powers has been enacted.
• This extension gives privacy advocates in Congress renewed hope.
• The advocates aim to stop “backdoor searches” of Americans’ communications.