Internet companies want more transparency from the U.S. government when it comes to data requests, and some of the biggest names in the tech industry, including Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Twitter and Apple, have set up a coalition to make it possible.The coalition – named Reform Government Surveillance – looks to establish new rules, where tech companies can disclose all information on data requests, what the government wanted and if they got the information.
Right now, companies are only able to disclose minimal details about the U.S. government surveillance and cannot actively fight against surveillance programs in place right now, even if they know about the programs.
The USA Freedom Act – passing through Congress before the end of the year – would remove some of the intrusive surveillance programs adopted by the NSA, alongside various other advantages for tech companies when dealing with the overarching government.
If the bill is not passed by the end of this year, a new Republican heavy Congress will work on the vote in 2015. Republicans are less liable to pass the bill, with a lot of Senators on the Republican side giving support to the NSA and surveillance.
The consortium of tech companies should be enough to raise awareness of the act and pass the bill. These are some of the biggest names in tech, together owning a large part of the economy. There is no telling what would happen if one decided to not play ball with the government, and potentially look to new countries for jobs and protection.
This is a large “potentially” considering most tech companies need the U.S. for infrastructure, jobs and policy. Silicon Valley is the hotspot of the tech world and the U.S. has a lot of good laws that protect and help tech companies.
However, this invasion of privacy harms the customers these companies work for, at the end of the day. Microsoft is not happy with its customers being viewed, neither is Twitter or Facebook, who are fighting for more transparency.
No comments:
Post a Comment