Update: Senate Intelligence Committee Passes Bill Giving Telecom Companies FISA Immunity

Late Thursday night, the Senate Intelligence Committee passed a bill, by a vote of 13-2, giving Telecom companies immunity under FISA for the release of confidential consumer information.

While the bill lets telcos off the hook for releasing consumer information under less than perfect court ordered administrative subpoenas and mere requests for information, the issue of whether such warrantless wiretaps and searches are legal still looms.

Whether a bill granting such immunity passes on the Senate floor remains to be seen.