Laying out recommendations to reform the scope of National Security Agency surveillance programs on Friday, President Barack Obama said that the secrecy surrounding National Security Letters, a type of secret data request issued by the government to private individuals or entities, will no longer be “indefinite” but “terminate within a fixed time.”
“Here, I have concerns that we should not set a standard for terrorism investigations that is higher than those involved in investigating an ordinary crime,” he said in a speech at the Justice Department. “But I agree that greater oversight on the use of these letters may be appropriate, and am prepared to work with Congress on this issue.”
“These are cases in which it is important that the subject of the investigation, such as a possible terrorist or spy, isn’t tipped off,” he said. “But we can – and should – be more transparent in how government uses this authority. I have therefore directed the Attorney General to amend how we use National Security Letters so this secrecy will not be indefinite, and will terminate within a fixed time unless the government demonstrates a real need for further secrecy.”