Tech Coalition Supports Global Surveillance Principles, Calls on US to Lead Reform Efforts

WASHINGTON – Today AOL, Apple, Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Twitter and Yahoo joined together to propose principles for reforming government surveillance laws and practices. The companies also urged the President and the United States Congress to take the lead on reform with an open letter that reads:

Dear Mr. President and Members of Congress,

We understand that governments have a duty to protect their citizens. But this summer’s revelations highlighted the urgent need to reform government surveillance practices worldwide. The balance in many countries has tipped too far in favor of the state and away from the rights of the individual–rights that are enshrined in our Constitution. This undermines the freedoms we all cherish. It’s time for change.

For our part, we are focused on keeping users’ data secure­­–deploying the latest encryption technology to prevent unauthorized surveillance on our networks, and by pushing back on government requests to ensure that they are legal and reasonable in scope.

We urge the US to take the lead and make reforms that ensure that government surveillance efforts are clearly restricted by law, proportionate to the risks, transparent and subject to independent oversight. To see the full set of principles we support, visit www.reformgovernmentsurveillance.com.

AOL Apple  Facebook  Google  LinkedIn  Microsoft Twitter  Yahoo

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO, and head kahuna of Facebook said that “Reports about government surveillance have shown there is a real need for greater disclosure and new limits on how governments collect information. The U.S. Government should take this opportunity to lead this reform effort and make things right.” ­

While world wide privacy fears are at an all time high it is refreshing to see these companies join forces on behalf of their users.

Microsoft VP Brad Smith joined in and pointed fingers straight at government “People won’t use technology they don’t trust.”­­he said” Governments have put this trust at risk, and governments need to help restore it.”

Who knows what change if any the letter will make, but it can’t be a bad thing to have all these large voices fighting together for the privacy of the internet.