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Tech firms call for new laws on US surveillance
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Eight leading US-based technology companies yesterday called on Washington to overhaul its surveillance laws following revelations of online eavesdropping by fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden.
Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Twitter, Yahoo, AOL and LinkedIn wrote an open letter to US President Barack Obama and the US Congress calling on Washington to lead the way in a worldwide reform of state-sponsored spying.
“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 letter said.
“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 a change.”
They added: “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.”
Broad spying program
Since June, newspapers across the world have revealed the wide scope of US government spying by publishing classified documents leaked by Snowden, a former US National Security Agency contract analyst now on the run in Russia.
The letter ran in full-page ads in several newspapers, including the New York Times.
The group, which include companies that are often fierce rivals, further detailed their security concerns on the website Reform Government Surveillance (http://reformgovernmentsurveillance.com/).
Statements posted on the site show top company officials fear the public does not trust that tech giants will — or can — keep their online activities private.
The technology companies may also be concerned that increased security concerns will hurt their own ability to track customers for marketing purposes.
“People won’t use technology they don’t trust,” said Microsoft’s Brad Smith. “Governments have put this trust at risk, and governments need to help restore it.”
Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer said revelations of government surveillance meant “it is time for the United States government to act to restore the confidence of citizens around the world.”
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