The Justice Dept. pored through the bank, library or telecom records of 3,501 U.S. citizens and legal residents–without a court’s approval. Apparently this was legal–it’s just the first time the FBI is publicly disclosing hard numbers.

AP:

By MARK SHERMAN, Associated Press Writer Fri Apr 28, 7:15 PM ET

The FBI secretly sought information last year on 3,501 U.S. citizens and legal residents from their banks and credit card, telephone and Internet companies without a court’s approval, the Justice Department said Friday.

It was the first time the Bush administration has publicly disclosed how often it uses the administrative subpoena known as a National Security Letter, which allows the executive branch of government to obtain records about people in terrorism and espionage investigations without a judge’s approval or a grand jury subpoena.

Friday’s disclosure was mandated as part of the renewal of the Patriot Act, the administration’s sweeping anti-terror law.

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#banking industry#credit#fbi#library#record#spying#warrant