Facebook echoed Google on Tuesday by asking permission from the federal government to include more information about national security requests it receives so as to debunk speculation that it allows the National Security Agency unfettered access to user data.
“We would welcome the opportunity to provide a transparency report that allows us to share with those who use Facebook around the world a complete picture of the government requests we receive, and how we respond,” said General Counsel Ted Ullyot in a statement. “We urge the United States government to help make that possible by allowing companies to include information about the size and scope of national security requests we receive, and look forward to publishing a report that includes that information.”
Google’s Chief Legal Officer David Drummond chimed in earlier Tuesday asking Attorney General Eric Holder permission to publish “aggregate numbers of national security requests, including FISA disclosures” it receives in scope and size in its annual transparency report.
The requests from the tech giants come as the Obama administration faces increased scrutiny over domestic surveillance programs like NSA’s PRISM, which tracks certain information over the internet.
Update: Microsoft joins the fray.
