FISA Bill Immunities

After a long battle, the Senate passed an update of the nation's spying laws. However, the House has passed a slightly different Bill. The Senate's version allows immunities to the telecommunication companies for their previous eavesdropping on customers, the House's version doesn't. This immunity issue arises as a result of over 40 lawsuits that have been filed against the telecommunication companies. The Senate rejected a bill that would have let the lawsuits go forward with the government as the defendant instead of the telecommunication companies.

Personally, I think this is a good move on the side of the government (not the Senate part). After all, they asked the telecommunication companies to invade people's privacy, they should be the ones to take the responsibility, not the companies that helped them. Of course, there's the argument that they should have disobeyed the order, but realistically, what company is going to ignore an order from the government? I don't see the telecommunication companies as having done anything terribly wrong, and I hope they can either get the immunities clause passed, or the defendant changed to the government.

What are your opinions?

FISA Bill Article