Google Asks Government To Allow Publishing Of National Security Request Data

PM demands more from google. File photo dated 17/01/08 of the Google logo as Prime Minister David Cameron has called on the internet giant do more to rid the internet of child pornography, warning that lives are bein... PM demands more from google. File photo dated 17/01/08 of the Google logo as Prime Minister David Cameron has called on the internet giant do more to rid the internet of child pornography, warning that lives are being put at risk. Issue date: Sunday June 9, 2013. See PA story POLITICS Pornography. Photo credit should read: Martin Keene/PA Wire URN:16754880 MORE LESS
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Google is asking the federal government to allow the publishing of “aggregate numbers of national security requests, including FISA disclosures” it receives in scope and size in its annual Transparency Report.

In a letter addressed to Attorney General Eric Holder on Tuesday, Google’s Chief Legal Officer David Drummond writes that nondisclosure obligations concerning FISA national security requests fuel false speculation that the government has sweeping access to its customers’ private data. The request comes as the administration faces increased scrutiny over domestic surveillance programs like the NSA’s PRISM, which tracks certain information over the internet.

“Google appreciates that you authorized the recent disclosure of general numbers for national security letters,” he writes. “There have been no adverse consequences arising from their publication, and in fact more companies are receiving your approval to do so as a result of Google’s initiative. Transparency here will likewise serve the public interest without harming national security.”

Full text is posted below:

Dear Attorney General Holder and Director Mueller

 

Google has worked tremendously hard over the past fifteen years to earn our users’ trust. For example, we offer encryption across our services; we have hired some of the best security engineers in the world; and we have consistently pushed back on overly broad government requests for our users’ data.

 

We have always made clear that we comply with valid legal requests. And last week, the Director of National Intelligence acknowledged that service providers have received Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) requests.

 

Assertions in the press that our compliance with these requests gives the U.S. government unfettered access to our users’ data are simply untrue. However, government nondisclosure obligations regarding the number of FISA national security requests that Google receives, as well as the number of accounts covered by those requests, fuel that speculation.

 

We therefore ask you to help make it possible for Google to publish in our Transparency Report aggregate numbers of national security requests, including FISA disclosures—in terms of both the number we receive and their scope. Google’s numbers would clearly show that our compliance with these requests falls far short of the claims being made. Google has nothing to hide.

 

Google appreciates that you authorized the recent disclosure of general numbers for national security letters. There have been no adverse consequences arising from their publication, and in fact more companies are receiving your approval to do so as a result of Google’s initiative. Transparency here will likewise serve the public interest without harming national security.

 

We will be making this letter public and await your response.

 

David Drummond Chief Legal Officer

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