The term functions as a proper noun, specifically the acronym for the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001. This is a U.S. federal law enacted in response to the September 11 attacks. Its stated purpose was to deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world, to enhance law enforcement investigatory tools, and for other purposes.
The legislation significantly expanded the surveillance authority of U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Key provisions under its original and reauthorized forms included measures to enhance domestic security against terrorism. Title II, "Enhanced Surveillance Procedures," granted authorities new powers, such as the use of roving wiretaps on individuals rather than specific devices, the ability to obtain business records and other "tangible things" through secret court orders (Section 215), and the authority for "sneak and peek" delayed-notification searches. It also lowered the legal barrier between criminal investigations and foreign intelligence gathering, allowing for greater information sharing between domestic law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
The law's implementation generated significant legal and political controversy, centering on the balance between national security and individual civil liberties. Critics argued that certain provisions, particularly those related to surveillance and data collection, infringed upon constitutional protections, including the Fourth Amendment's prohibition of unreasonable searches and seizures. The debate over its scope and necessity has led to multiple reauthorizations with modifications, the expiration of certain provisions, and the passage of subsequent legislation, such as the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015, which aimed to reform some of the original act's most contentious surveillance programs.
