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 US 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 favour 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
Company executives also provided statements on the principles of reform:
“AOL is committed to preserving the privacy of our customers’ information, while respecting the right of governments to request information on specific users for lawful purposes. AOL is proud to unite with other leading Internet companies to advocate on behalf of our consumers,” says Tim Armstrong, chairman and CEO of AOL.
“Reports about government surveillance have shown there is a real need for greater disclosure and new limits on how governments collect information. The US Government should take this opportunity to lead this reform effort and make things right,” comments Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook.
“The security of users’ data is critical, which is why we’ve invested so much in encryption and fight for transparency around government requests for information. This is undermined by the apparent wholesale collection of data, in secret and without independent oversight, by many governments around the world. It’s time for reform and we urge the US government to lead the way,” was the word from Larry Page, CEO of Google.
“These principles embody Linkedin’s fundamental commitment to transparency and ensuring appropriate government practices that are respectful of our members’ expectations,” says Erika Rottenberg, General Counsel of LinkedIn.
“People won’t use technology they don’t trust. Governments have put this trust at risk, and governments need to help restore it,” comments Brad Smith, general counsel and executive vice-president: Legal and Corporate Affairs at Microsoft.
“Twitter is committed to defending and protecting the voice of our users. Unchecked, undisclosed government surveillance inhibits the free flow of information and restricts their voice. The principles we advance today would reform the current system to appropriately balance the needs of security and privacy while safeguarding the essential human right of free expression,” says Dick Costolo, CEO of Twitter.
“Protecting the privacy of our users is incredibly important to Yahoo. Recent revelations about government surveillance activities have shaken the trust of our users, and it is time for the US government to act to restore the confidence of citizens around the world.
“Today we join our colleagues in the tech industry calling on the United States Congress to change surveillance laws in order to ensure transparency and accountability for government actions,” according to Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo.