The Department of Justice calls them procedural changes that will help the government to pursue child pornographers who use cybertechnology to conceal their identities. Opponents say they are substantive and troubling changes that will vastly expand the government’s ability to spy on innocent Americans.
The changes in question are amendments to Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, which deals with the issuance of warrants and protocols for searches and seizures. Barring congressional action, the amendments take effect on Dec. 1.
