Even before this week 's Verizon controversy , privacy advocates had long criticized Section 215 as vastly expanding the FBI 's power to spy on Americans . NEW : ` ` At what point do we stand up and say this is the tipping point ? '' professor asks . ' : There 's been no ` ` single other publicly announced order '' with such far - reaching implications . The Obama administration is accused of going too far in passing the Patriot Act . Section 215 in the law gives FBI ` ` pretty broad authority , '' former federal prosecutor says .
NEW : ` ` At what point do we stand up and say this is the tipping point ? '' professor asks . ' : There 's been no ` ` single other publicly announced order '' with such far - reaching implications . The Obama administration is accused of going too far in passing the Patriot Act . Section 215 in the law gives FBI ` ` pretty broad authority , '' former federal prosecutor says .