This volume investigates the legal, technical, and ethical implications of government bulk collection of private-sector data. Edited by Fred H. Cate and James X. Dempsey, the book assembles a multidisciplinary group of experts to analyze the tension between national security requirements and individual privacy rights. The contributors evaluate existing legal frameworks and propose potential reforms to address the challenges posed by modern surveillance capabilities.

Legal scholars and policy analysts frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the intersection of privacy law and digital surveillance. Experts note the academic rigor of the contributions, making it a primary resource for those studying the evolution of government data collection practices.