October 16, 2007 11:33AM 

# Surveillance and Doublespeak 

By [Tim Lynch](https://www.cato.org/people/tim-lynch) 

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The *Washington Post* has a story today about the [government’s data collection activities](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/15/AR2007101501857.html). Unfortunately, the article repeatedly says the FBI is “requesting” information from the phone companies. That’s [misleading](https://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=6654). The FBI is using subpoenas and national security letters. Thus, federal agents are *demanding* information from the businesspeople. A refusal to comply means fines and jail. This is an area of law and policy that needs much [more attention](https://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=2948).

##### Related Tags 

[Constitutional Law](https://www.cato.org/constitutional-law), [Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies](https://www.cato.org/robert-levy-center-constitutional-studies) 

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