Question

Discuss National Security Letters. What is their purpose? Who has the authority to issue them?

Answer 1

A National Security Letter (NSL) is a similar to a subpoena method for law enforcement investigation, which is most often provided by the FBI. NSLs are used as part of national security inquiries to collect information from businesses. They require the FBI, and other federal agencies under restricted circumstances, to demand that businesses return data regarding the use of services such as banking, telecommunications, and records of Internet use by their customers.

The laws that established NSL authority provide for issuing them to a number of agencies. The most widely used form of NSL can, however, be provided directly by the FBI Director, an Assistant Director, and also by all FBI Special Agents in Charge, who are commanding officers posted at FBI field offices around the country.

The most commonly released NSLs allow the FBI to target telecommunications and Internet firms, financial institutions, and credit agencies to obtain customer records "related to an approved enquiry to protect against international terrorism or covert intelligence."