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SD 3166

Wiretap Reports (2020, 2023, 2024)

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Massachusetts bill requiring law enforcement to publish annual reports on wiretap usage, applications, and approvals to increase government surveillance transparency and accountability.

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Bill Summary · SD 3166

Legislative bill overview

SD 3166 requires law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts to submit annual public reports detailing their use of wiretapping and electronic surveillance. The bill mandates disclosure of information such as the number of wiretap applications filed, approved, denied, and the crimes targeted by surveillance requests.

Why is this important

Wiretapping and electronic surveillance are powerful investigative tools that significantly impact privacy rights. Public reporting creates transparency and accountability, allowing citizens and legislators to understand the scope of government surveillance and identify potential abuses or patterns of overreach that might warrant policy adjustments.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy vs. Transparency: Law enforcement may argue that detailed wiretap reports could compromise ongoing investigations or reveal investigative techniques to criminals, while advocates counter that aggregate data poses minimal security risks
  • Resource Burden: Police departments claim compilation and annual reporting requirements divert resources from investigative work, though supporters argue the administrative cost is minimal compared to surveillance benefits
  • Limited Scope: The bill may not address all forms of electronic monitoring (cell-site location data, social media monitoring), leaving significant surveillance gaps unreported to the public

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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