Tech giants call for US digital surveillance legal reform


Lazarus Sauti

Eight leading technology companies called on the United States to overhaul its surveillance laws to better balance the needs of security and individual rights, in the wake of the Edward Snowden leaks.

The companies also urged an international ban on bulk collection of data to help preserve the public’s “trust in the internet”.

In an open letter to US President Barack Obama and the US Congress, AOL, Apple, Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Twitter and Yahoo said Washington should lead the way in a worldwide reform of state-sponsored spying.

The letter noted: “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 a change.”

Several of the companies blamed spy agencies for the resulting threat to their business interests.

“People won’t use technology they don’t trust. Governments have put this trust at risk, and governments need to help restore it,” said Brad Smith, Microsoft’s general counsel.

Sharing the same sentiments, chief executive of Yahoo, Marissa Mayer, said: “Recent revelations about government surveillance activities have shaken the trust of our users, and it is time for the United States government to act to restore the confidence of citizens around the world.”

The companies urged 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.

 

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