E.O. 12333 (Executive Order)

Executive Order 12333, signed in 1981, is a directive that outlines how U.S. intelligence agencies gather, analyze, and share information to protect national security. It establishes guidelines to ensure activities respect privacy rights, legal boundaries, and oversight. The order encourages coordination among agencies like the CIA, NSA, and FBI while emphasizing respect for U.S. constitutional principles. Essentially, it provides a framework for intelligence operations, balancing the need for security with safeguarding individual rights, and sets the standards for lawful intelligence collection and analysis within the U.S. and abroad.