The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) is a U.S. law enacted in 1978 that regulates the government's ability to conduct surveillance on foreign entities. It establishes procedures for the collection of foreign intelligence information, particularly through electronic surveillance and physical searches, while also providing oversight to protect the privacy rights of U.S. citizens. FISA created the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC), which reviews and approves surveillance requests. The law aims to balance national security needs with civil liberties, ensuring that intelligence activities are conducted lawfully and with appropriate judicial oversight.