WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- The Justice Department said Thursday it will appeal a judge's ruling striking down the FBI's authority to demand business records without a warrant.
A federal judge in New York Wednesday said the authority to demand the records of terror suspects from Internet service providers and other businesses without the approval of a court, a key provision of the USA Patriot Act, was unconstitutional.
The judge also struck down a provision that kept businesses from notifying their clients about the FBI action.
Justice communications director Mark Corallo said the provision affected was "an important act of Congress, the 1986 National Security Letter statute. ... That decision takes away a tool for fighting terrorism that the Congress has authorized. The Department of Justice Department will appeal that decision."
The Patriot Act expanded the 1986 statute, which at first only applied to foreign spies.
"We will continue to defend our ability to protect our people, to safeguard their liberty, and preserve our way of life," Corallo added.
