- Top Searches
- Online Backup
- Windows 8
- Android
- iPad

- Trending
- Best iPad Cases
- Best Android Apps
- Best Laptops

# Apple, Google, More Demand Transparency on Govt Data Requests

- By Chloe Albanesius
- July 18, 2013 10:30am EST
- Comments

Several dozen top tech firms, trade groups, non-profits, and investors penned a letter to President Obama, the director of national intelligence, and several members of Congress, demanding greater transparency around national security-related issues.

The letter - signed by Apple, Google, Microsoft, Twitter, Yahoo, and more - requests permission to reveal publicly the number of government requests for data made under Section 215 of the Patriot Act, Section 702 of the FISA Amendments Act, via National Security Letters, and more.

Like other transparency reports from Google (above), Twitter, and the like, the firms also want to say how many accounts and customers those requests affected, as well as how many sought specific content about users.

"The government should also augment the annual reporting that is already required by statute by issuing its own regular 'transparency report' providing the same information: the total number of requests under specific authorities for specific types of data, and the number of individuals affected by each," the letter said.

That's unlikely given the secretive nature of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC), where most of these requests originate. As a compromise, the letter proposes that the Justice Department - "as an initial step" - allows tech companies to "publish specific numbers regarding government requests authorized under specific national security authorities, including the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and the NSL statutes."

"Basic information about how the government uses its various law enforcement–related investigative authorities has been published for years without any apparent disruption to criminal investigations," they continued. "We seek permission for the same information to be made available regarding the government's national security–related authorities."

Similar efforts have already been rebuffed. Microsoft said this week, for example, that the DOJ and FBI denied its request to share more information, prompting it to appeal to the FISC.

Microsoft, Facebook, and Yahoo reached a deal with the feds whereby they could release national security-related data as part of their transparency reports - but only aggregated with all the other government request data. They have since requested permission to break out that data, but have thus far been unsuccessful.

The issue of government requests for data has made headlines in recent weeks after a former government contractor, Edward Snowden, handed over documents to The Guardian which he said provides evidence of widespread surveillance. The National Security Agency (NSA), FBI, and DOJ have argued that their activities are legal, while tech companies claim that they only hand over data after they are presented with a court order.

Not everyone is convinced; the Electronic Frontier Foundation (which also signed today's letter) and a number of other groups this week sued the NSA, DOJ, and FBI over its data-collection processes.

Other companies that co-signed the letter include: AOL, Cloudfare, Credo Mobile, Digg, Dropbox, Evoca, Facebook, Heyzap, LinkedIn, Meetup, Mozilla, Reddit, Salesforce.com, Sonic.net, Stripe, Tumblr, and YouNow.

- Top Searches
- Online Backup
- Windows 8
- Android
- iPad

Back to top

Subscribing to a newsletter, constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Subscribing to a newsletter, constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

## Comments

Login or Register
blog comments powered by Disqus
Advertisement

### Sponsors

- All

- The New Acer Aspire V5. Big Performance, Small package, Touch-Enabled.
- The New Cisco WebEx Meetings - Get your Free Account Now!
- Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computers are built to keep you running.
- The new ultra-portable Galaxy Note 8.0 is revolutionizing business.
- Canon P-208 Scan-tini. Unpaper. Uncomplicate. Unclutter your life as you go.
- Tools+SDKs now available on QDevNet for developers to create apps of the future.
- eFax® - Technology for the way you work. Get a Free 30-Day Trial.
- See why expert reviewers are impressed with the LG Optimus G Pro!
- Find the Right Ultrabook™ for you - Check out our Showcase!
- Geek out on this! Fax right from your smartphone or tablet. Free 30 day trial!
- Canon P-208 Scan-tini. Unpaper. Uncomplicate. Unclutter your life as you go.
- Switch your number to Sprint and save $100. Restrictions apply.
- Vipre Internet Security 2013. Antivirus is no longer enough. Get your free trial here!
- Get award winning best-sounding wireless earphone PS 210 BTNC by Phiaton!
- The New Cisco WebEx Meetings - Get your Free Account Now!
- For a limited time, get the Samsung Series 9 Ultrabook™ now up to $200 off.

Subscribing to a newsletter, constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Subscribing to a newsletter, constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

### PCMag Trending on Facebook

Like PCMag.com on Facebook

##### Select Term:

24 issues for $29.99
ONLY $1.25 an issue!
Lock in Your Savings!
12 issues for $19.99
ONLY $1.67 an issue!
State
Country
This transaction is secure

Automatic Renewal Program: Your subscription will continue without interruption for as long as you wish, unless you instruct us otherwise. Your subscription will automatically renew at the end of the term unless you authorize cancellation. Each year, you'll receive a notice and you authorize that your credit/debit card will be charged the annual subscription rate(s). You may cancel at any time during your subscription and receive a full refund on all unsent issues. If your credit/debit card or other billing method can not be charged, we will bill you directly instead.