The limitation of electronic surveillance of US citizens by US government organizations, as far as I understand it, is that 'it requires a warrant.' The method

The limitation of electronic surveillance of US citizens by US government organizations, as far as I understand it, is that 'it requires a warrant.' The method of data collection, and whether the data pre-exists or is collected post-warrant is semi-immaterial. Like quantum mechanics, the warrant-triggering action is looking at any such data. Which seems fair. I'd prefer data not be stored in the first place, but I grant there are legitimate law enforcement and national security reasons to do so. If it has to / will be collected, then at least we can build an ironclad and clear legal requirement that any and all users can't look at it without first going through the court system.