(Just The News)—As Congress plans to reauthorize a major government surveillance authority, privacy advocates say that failing to enact reforms would allow the federal government to spy on Americans at an unprecedented scale with artificial intelligence.
FISA Section 702, which lawmakers must reauthorize by March 2027, allows federal intelligence agencies to conduct warrantless electronic surveillance on foreign nationals of suspicion, whether they are abroad or traveling in the U.S.
But the electronic data of ordinary American citizens – including emails, text messages, and phone calls – are routinely swept up as well. Intelligence agencies can store that data for up to five years, while agents will routinely search through that data without obtaining a warrant.
With the rapid advancement of AI technology, however, Americans’ privacy is even more vulnerable than when Section 702 was enacted in 2008. Federal agents can simply feed the data into an AI model and effectively create dossiers on innocent U.S. citizens.
“The concern is that artificial intelligence AI could be used in these databases to effectively target and collect information in ways that we hadn’t seen before,” Don Bell, policy counsel at The Constitution Project at the Project On Government Oversight (POGO), told The Center Square.
“What we’re seeing now is a truly unprecedented merger of increasing technological capabilities and a federal government that is willing to use these tools to target not just individuals but broad sections of American society.”
Though the U.S. Intelligence Community and the Department of Justice have previously claimed they aren’t using AI in FISA databases, they have failed to answer lawmakers’ requests for proof.
FISA Section 702 currently has no prohibition on the federal government effectively outsourcing its surveillance to private companies via the “data broker loophole.”
“Data brokers collect performance management information, and they basically package that up and sell thousands of data points that they claim to have on people. And the federal government, rather than getting a warrant for a lot of that information, just circumvents the constitution by buying it from these massive data sets,” Bell said.
“But you would need a lot of money and people and time to sort through that and build the profiles necessary for effective surveillance. But with artificial intelligence, that makes it more efficient, cheaper and more doable.”
Bell, along with a number of organizations, proved just how doable the process is. With a basic AI model that they built in two weeks and a couple of data broker subscriptions, they were able to create highly detailed profiles of ordinary citizens in seconds.
“So it looks basically like typing into a search engine bar, ‘find X person at Planned Parenthood’ — but it could have been X person at a gun range, pick your place — and within seconds, this AI agent was able to pull all kinds of information on this individual,” Bell said.
“Not just their name and date of birth, but where they lived, where they worked, who their children were, financial information, things that obviously could kill constitutionally protected speech and really create a dossier on someone,” he continued.
“They were also able to basically draw a circle around the Planned Parenthood clinic — but again, it could be anyplace — and they were able to create a map showing all of the people in the community who were traveling to this place, how long they were there, all of that information.”
The issue, Bell said, is obvious: AI’s ability to collect, organize, and streamline information almost immediately and at such a monumental scale could permanently kill privacy rights if Congress fails to intervene.
“If the government is purchasing our data and our location data and they can use artificial intelligence to create these kinds of profiles, then there is no privacy,” Bell said. “They can reach into our lives in the most invasive way possible, and they can do it at scale. Entire communities can be surveilled, entire groups of people.”
In short, Congress has failed to keep up with changes in technology that are imposing new threats to privacy rights, Bell argued, enabling a “dangerously escalating pattern of surveillance.”
“That’s why it’s so important for Congress to take a stand now to close the data loophole, and also really think about how the changes in surveillance technology really are an existential threat to the Constitution and our privacy,” Bell said.
So far, Congress is still locked in a debate over whether to reform FISA at all. Nearly all Democrats and 19 Republicans in the U.S. House tanked a clean extension of Section 702, over many privacy concerns.
The program can operate without Congressional authorization until March 2027. That’s because FISA Court approves year-long certifications for Section 702, which remain in effect even if the underlying authority has expired.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.