I’m not certain how this is even constitutional, but the FBI has just given itself broad powers to snoop through your personal belongings. The changes are detailed in the forthcoming new version of the FBI’s field guide and manual, the Domestic Investigations and Operations guide.

The new manual will reportedly change official FBI procedure allow FBI agents the ability and right to search through your garbage as well as your computer databases without opening a formal case or investigation if you have come to the FBI’s attention, even if you are not necessarily the suspect of a criminal investigation. In addition, federal agents will also be able to administer lie detector tests without first opening any kind of preliminary investigation files and FBI agents will also be able to use “surveillance squads” more easily than they were previously. Specifically, the “surveillance squads” can be used up to five times during what the FBI terms as an “assessment” as opposed to only once before.

In an attempt to prevent criticism for the move, the FBI has already briefed privacy advocates including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) regarding the move. As you may expect, the ACLU spokesperson interviewed was not happy with the decision. From the New York Times:

“Claiming additional authorities to investigate people only further raises the potential for abuse,” Mr. German said, pointing to complaints about the bureau’s surveillance of domestic political advocacy groups and mosques and to an inspector general’s findings in 2007 that the F.B.I. had frequently misused “national security letters,” which allow agents to obtain information like phone records without a court order.”

The FBI is still contending that the changes in their policies are minor. As an FBI spokesman told FOX News: "I would call these minor tweaks based on feedback from agents in the field who began operating under the original DIOG, which was new a couple of years ago. Not sweeping new powers,"

Like most Americans, the changes in the FBI’s policy make me leery and I am uncertain as to how the United State’s system of checks and balances works in this instance. Why is it permissible for the FBI to spy on Americans who are not even suspected of any crime? What the FBI calls “minor tweaking” is what most Americans would view as spying.

This change in policy could bring back the days of McCarthyism by giving federal agents more inside information on everyday Americans.