Since 9/11, the U.S. has been able to eavesdropping on electronic communications without the need for court-approved warrants. The only positive aspect of the 2008 act is that it is set to expire without a change or a new amendment. The American Privacy Act is now set to be extended without an amendment to the law. The U.N. agency says it will not be able to monitor electronic communications of Americans without a new order of surveillance. The law was passed by Congress in 2008.
Source: https://thehackernews.com/2012/05/nsa-intercepting-17-billion-american.html