Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC)

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) is a special U.S. court that approves government requests to conduct surveillance on foreign agents suspected of espionage or terrorism. Established by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) in 1978, FISC operates in secrecy to protect national security while balancing citizens' privacy rights. The court reviews evidence presented by government agencies, such as the FBI or NSA, and decides if they can legally monitor individuals or gather foreign intelligence. Its rulings can impact laws and policies related to surveillance and civil liberties.