238-page report, finds bulk collection program illegal, 73% say reforms will have no effect on people’s privacy,
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C. –
“While we appreciate the reassurances that this bulk data is rarely accessed, what many (American citizens) don’t fully understand is that’s not the only threat to them. The basic gathering of data, and its inherent value, is intrusive. It erodes our sense of privacy, creates information power and provides an enduring temptation to use or misuse it.
“While the board may not have been unanimous in all of their findings, they all agreed there have been no instances where this program has actually prevented a national security threat.
– Ed Black, President & CEO of the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), responding to the Obama Adminstration’s suggestion that the data could be housed with private companies instead of the government. CCIA has called for an end to this program.
An independent federal privacy watchdog group is issuing its 238-page report today, which finds the government’s program to collect bulk metadata is illegal and should end, according to various news reports.
The Privacy & Civil Liberties Oversight Board Report comes less than a week after President Obama announced modest changes to the way the government collects and stores data on citizens and foreigners’ electronic communications, but he did not recommend an end to the program altogether.
President Barack Obama announced sweeping reforms to the way the National Security Agency collects digital information in a speech at the Justice Department on Friday. The proposed changes include:
More oversight by the Executive Branch- Reworking national security letters that force private companies to turn over customers’ information to the NSA, and
- An end to Section 215 of the Patriot Act, which allows for bulk data collection.
President Obama’s speech proposing major reforms to the National Security Agency on Friday did little to sway public opinion towards the NSA, a new Pew Research Center poll shows. Of those surveyed who had heard about the speech:
- 73% said the proposed reforms will have no effect on people’s privacy, and
- 79% said the reforms won’t make it more difficult for the government to fight terrorism.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association has also called for an end to this program and was uncomfortable with the suggestion that the data could be housed with private companies instead of the government.
CCIA President & CEO Ed Black (right,) has testified several times before Senators about his concerns about government surveillance:
“Having this accumulation of data sitting around makes it available for abuse – not just by the U.S. government, but by others as well.
“We are encouraged that this latest report will add to the growing debate after a federal judge and the president’s review group also expressed serious misgivings about bulk data collection and other surveillance practices. These valuable, independent reviews will help as Congress continues to consider how to reform NSA programs and procedures.”
CCIA is an international, nonprofit association representing a broad cross section of computer, communications and Internet industry firms. CCIA members employ more than 600,000 workers and generate annual revenues in excess of $200 billion.
