Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The enactment of the USA Patriot Act significantly expanded the government's ability to monitor communications as part of its efforts to combat terrorism. This legislation granted law enforcement agencies broader powers to conduct surveillance and gather intelligence on individuals, organizations, and electronic communications without the usual constraints. This included enhanced capabilities to intercept phone calls, emails, and other forms of digital communication, allowing for a more extensive monitoring framework aimed at detecting and preventing potential threats.

While aspects like oversight of government actions and penalties for data theft were part of broader discussions, they did not represent the primary outcome of the USA Patriot Act. The law focused more on increasing surveillance capabilities as a response to national security concerns, particularly in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Therefore, the expansion of monitoring of communications stands out as a clear and direct consequence of the act.