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Feds snooping on email activity and social networks, without warrants - and it's on the rise

JB

Crime-fighting authorities in the United States can snoop upon your email activity, who you are instant messaging, and what you are up to on Facebook, Google Plus and other social networks in real-time, not only without your permission - but without even requiring a warrant.

And, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), this real-time access by federal investigators to your online activity is on the rise.

Documents released by the ACLU on Thursday show that law enforcement agencies in the United States have greatly increased surveillance of Americans’ electronic communications, and often the surveillance happens without a warrant or judicial oversight.

The documents were released by the U.S. Department of Justice in response to a February 2012 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request (PDF) by the ACLU.

They show a sharp rise in the use of two types of surveillance in the last five years: "trap and trace" and "pen register".