Lawmakers want to expand role of government privacy watchdog

A bipartisan group of lawmakers wants to expand the ability of an independent agency to investigate government surveillance activities.

The Strengthening Privacy, Oversight and Transparency (SPOT) Act would expand the role of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) -- an executive branch watchdog group formed as a result of suggestion from the 9/11 Commission to investigate the privacy implications of counterterrorism policies. The legislation, spearheaded by Sen. Ron Wyden, (D-OR) and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) and co-sponsored by Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) and Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC), would expand PCLOB's oversight to cover all government surveillance activities and strengthen its ability to investigate policies. For instance, the bill would make PCLOB an authorized recipient of whistleblower complaints, including from contractors and detailees, and allow it to issue its own subpoenas.