The phrase "special selection term", used to described the scope of NSA's authority to conduct electronic surveillance, had been defined as relating to "a person, entity, or account.” The version of the bill passed by the House broadens the definition of "special selection term" to include addresses and devices and potentially more:
the term ‘specific selection term’ means a discrete term, such as a term specifically identifying a person, entity, account, address, or device, used by the Government to limit the scope of the information or tangible things sought pursuant to the statute authorizing the provision of such information or tangible things to the Government.”
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) says:
The new version not only adds the undefined words "address" and "device," but makes the list of potential selection terms open-ended by using the term "such as." Congress has been clear that it wishes to end bulk collection, but given the government's history of twisted legal interpretations, this language can't be relied on to protect our freedoms.
The revisions to Section 702 of FISA no longer encompass "about searches", under which the NSA collects and reviews messages of phone users who do not even communicate with surveillance targets.
Many of the bills original backers withdrew their support when the latest version was introduced the other day. Other groups say it's not good, but it's better than nothing and they hope the Senate will add more protections when it considers the bill. That rarely happens, in my view. Either get it right the first time, or table it until you can.