what actions can the government take on citizens according to the usa patriot act?

Answer 1

Well, if they suspect someone has any connection whatsoever to any hint of terrorism, they can be arrested, held without charges or bail or access to an attorney for the rest of their lives.

Wiretapping (supposedly with a warrant, but we know how that's turning out)

Monitoring of email and other internet activity.

Monitoring of banking activity.

They can seize your property without having to immediately show a search warrant. This is not only related to terrorist activity.

They can compel production of business records, medical records, educational records and library records without a showing of "probable cause" (the existence of specific facts to support the belief that a crime has been committed or that the items sought are evidence of a crime).

Feeling safer now?

Answer 2

There are quite a few. Challenge is wading thru all the conditions of the Patrios act. If you read it, it doesn't exactly spell everything out. many parts of it are amendments to existing laws. So unless you go and reference those laws, you won't get the full picture.

Considering a broad interepretation of actions by Gov--- There are certainly provisions where your info is captured if you apply for financial products -- e.g. bouncing against OFAC terrorist lists. They can also look into your behaviors (e.g. library records) w/out you even knowing about it.

But in 2006, some aspects were amended to put in additional safe-guards on civil liberties. And there should be.

There are good aspects of the Patriot act though.