Homeland security bill lets libraries turn over Internet records. (News Fronts Washington).(Brief Article)

The homeland security legislation passed by the Senate November 19 includes a provision that gives greater latitude to providers of Internet services--including libraries--to turn over information about their users if they believe an emergency situation exists.

The bill amends Title 18 of Section 2702(b) of the United States Code to allow "a person or entity providing an electronic communication service to the public" to divulge the contents of a communication to government authorities "if the provider, in good faith, believes that an emergency involving danger of death or …