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# Government Surveillance Reform Act of 2023 This comprehensive surveillance reform bill would significantly restrict how the federal government collects, uses, and retains information about Americans and implement new oversight mechanisms. The legislation primarily targets three areas. First, it restricts warrantless surveillance under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which authorizes surveillance of foreign targets. The bill would prohibit government officials from searching Section 702 databases for communications of Americans without a warrant, except in narrow circumstances like emergencies or when the person consents. It eliminates a previous program that collected communications merely mentioning targets ("about" collection) and requires that data on Americans be destroyed within five years unless needed for specific national security investigations. Second, the bill overhauls protections for Americans targeted under broader foreign intelligence authorities. It requires that targeting any American, regardless of location, or anyone in the United States for foreign intelligence purposes must be approved through court order unless an emergency exists. It also prohibits intelligence agencies from acquiring datasets containing significant volumes of personal information about Americans without specific legal authorization, with limited exceptions for employment, compliance, and life-safety situations. Third, the bill strengthens privacy protections under electronic communications laws. It requires warrants for law enforcement to access location data, web browsing records, and search queries. It restricts law enforcement from purchasing personal data about Americans from commercial data brokers. It also establishes new rules for cell-site simulators (devices that mimic cell towers) and vehicle data access, generally requiring warrants for both. The bill affects federal law enforcement agencies, intelligence agencies including the FBI, CIA, and NSA, and electronic communication service providers. It extends Section 702 authority through September 2027 while implementing these reforms. The legislation also mandates increased transparency through enhanced reporting to Congress and the public about surveillance activities, creates new roles for privacy advocates in court proceedings, and establishes accountability procedures requiring federal agencies to discipline employees who violate surveillance restrictions. Implementation can be delayed up to one year if agencies need time to develop necessary systems.

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