U.S. officials scrambled to stop major Internet firms from ditching FISA obligations [Video]

U.S. government officials were scrambling Friday night to prevent what they feared could be a significant loss of access to critical national security information, after two major U.S. communications providers said they would stop complying with orders under a controversial surveillance law that was set to expire at midnight, according to five people familiar with the matter.

One communications provider informed the National Security Agency that it would stop complying on Monday with orders under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which enables U.S. intelligence agencies to gather without a warrant the digital communications of foreigners overseas – including when they text or email people inside the United States.

Another provider suggested that it would cease complying at midnight Friday unless the law was reauthorized, according to the people familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations.

The companies’ decisions, which were conveyed privately and have not previously …