Federal judge tosses warrantless wiretap cases

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) The dismissals were widely expected after Congress in July agreed on new surveillance rules that include immunity from lawsuits for telecommunications companies that allegedly helped the U.S. spy on Americans.

U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker on Wednesday upheld the constitutionality of the new surveillance rules and dismissed the lawsuits.

But the judge did allow the losing attorneys a chance to revise their lawsuits to include new allegations, if any, that aren't covered by the immunity rules.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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