"then require a ( necessarily confidential) court order to search the database" This is where I have the biggest problem with our current government antics. T

"then require a ( necessarily confidential) court order to search the database" This is where I have the biggest problem with our current government antics. They should be required to disclose all warrants and phone searches within 5 years by default. If there is an ongoing investigation then a second court order could keep it sealed for longer. Without transparency there is too much wiggle room for bad behavior: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/27/us-usa-surveillance-watchdog-idUSBRE98Q14G20130927 http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/27/us-usa-surveillanc...