Join us in taking a stand for Internet users everywhere.

The U.S. Department of Justice is pushing through a rule change that would dramatically increase law enforcement’s authority to hack into computers—even if those computers are located outside the United States. The proposed updates to Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure—and the increase in government hacking that will come along with it—would be catastrophic for our security. The worst part is that lawmakers don't even have to vote on this massive change. If Congress does nothing, it will automatically go into effect on December 1.

That’s why we need your help. 

EFF, the Tor Project, and dozens of other users' rights organizations are calling on Congress to stop this sweeping power grab today. Please join our day of action by asking the U.S. Congress to stand against unchecked government hacking.

This massive expansion of power will affect Internet users all over the world. We encourage you to write to Congress today, or sign our petition if you live outside of the United States:  

What Would the Proposed Change Do?

The update to Rule 41 would grant U.S. magistrate judges the ability to issue a search warrant when a computer’s location is obscured using “technological means” or when a computer is part of a botnet. The rule changes would make it easier for the government to get warrants to hack into the devices of people who take privacy-protecting measures – like using Tor or a VPN. 

If this update goes into effect, magistrate judges will be asked to sign off on warrants authorizing searches wherever the computer is located—exposing computers all over the world to search, regardless of the legal protections of other countries. We could also see law enforcement seeking one warrant to search thousands or even millions of computers—in violation of the protections of the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Join us in calling on Congress to stop this irresponsible rule change.

Yours in the fight for digital freedom,

Rainey Reitman
EFF Activism Director
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