FEB 14, 2017 | US
BSA Seeks Open, Balanced Effort on Surveillance Reform
Tech Coalition Calls for Protections for Users, Transparency, and Continued 702 Oversight
WASHINGTON – February 15, 2017 – Today, BSA | The Software Alliance sent a letter to the Senate and House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees urging them to work together to provide for an open debate around the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The letter was cosigned by the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), the Internet Association (IA), and TechNet. Section 702 outlines provisions that allow US surveillance of foreign targets located abroad and is due to expire at the end of 2017. The letter argues for a balanced approach and that any reauthorization should include meaningful safeguards for Internet users’ privacy and civil liberties, measures to ensure transparency and accountability, and a commitment to continued Congressional oversight. An open debate, the letter continues, will allow the Section to build on recent Congressional efforts and will help boost public trust in intelligence gathering efforts. The tech industry looks forward to working with Congress to ensure a successful review of Section 702.
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BSA | The Software Alliance (www.bsa.org) is the leading advocate for the global software industry before governments and in the international marketplace. Its members are among the world’s most innovative companies, creating software solutions that help businesses of all sizes in every part of the economy to modernize and grow.
With headquarters in Washington, DC, and operations in more than 30 countries, BSA pioneers compliance programs that promote legal software use and advocates for public policies that foster technology innovation and drive growth in the digital economy.