Cyber security bill could allow police to look through database without a warrant

CISPA has been passed by US House but could still be rejected by Senators

The Cyber Information Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA), which was passed today by the US House of Representatives, could permit police to search through data they obtain from ISPs without a warrant.

Alan Grayson, a Florida Democrat tweeted that "The Rules Committee wouldn't even allow debate on requiring a warrant before a search".

He suggested an amendment which would require all federal agencies to secure a warrant before searching the database for criminal evidence.

It states that agencies cannot access the database "without a warrant obtained in accordance with the fourth amendment to the Constitution of the United States".

The bill has since been passed by the US House of Representatives. It is the second time that CISPA has been passed by the House, but Senators have not yet approved the legislation which they rejected initially because of a concern for public privacy.

The House Permanent Select Committee, which is trying to push through the legislation has made several amendments to the act to comply with the government's concerns but without further amendments, it could fail yet again, as the White House wants more protection for the privacy of citizens.

"The administration still seeks additional improvements and if the bill, as currently crafted, was presented to the President, his senior advisers would recommend that he veto the bill," a White House statement said.

CISPA has been controversial from the outset as it overrides current US federal and state laws with the words "notwithstanding any other provision of law". While many organisations such as The American Civil Liberties Union have opposed the act, big backers include Intel, Oracle and McAfee.