The USPS said it generally only granted information requests from law enforcement agencies when it aided in tracking down a crime suspect; however, records obtained by the Post showed that 97% of the 60,000 requests from law enforcement were approved over an eight-year period. Between 2015 and 2023, over 312,000 letters and packages were recorded without receiving judicial approval. (RELATED Federal Judge Rules Law Prohibiting Guns In Post Offices Is Unconstitutional)
The Internal Revenue Service, Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were the top requesters in the 2015 audit, according to the Post.
"These new statistics show that thousands of Americans are subjected to warrantless surveillance each year, and that the Postal Inspection Service rubber stamps practically all of the requests they receive," Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden said in a statement to the Post.