The intelligence community’s bulk collection of U.S. phone records exceeds the scope of USA Patriot Act Section 215, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday in the American Civil Liberties Union and New York Civil Liberties Union case against the government. It was cheered in interviews by members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, and by politicians, companies and advocacy groups that point to the ruling as evidence Congress should pass the USA Freedom Act (HR-2048). Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., said the intelligence community’s use of Section 215 is vital to national security. Others warned the intelligence community could find another loophole.

With Section 215 of the Patriot Act to sunset June 1, some privacy advocates and tech organizations backed changes in surveillance authorities granted to the intelligence community encouraging the passage of the USA Freedom Act, during a congressional Internet Caucus event Friday. Some like the American Civil Liberties Union don’t think the USA Freedom Act includes strong enough protections and would prefer if Section 215 were to sunset. None of the panelists at Friday’s event supported the legislation (S-1035) introduced by Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., which reauthorizes Section 215 in its current form for five years.

With Section 215 of the Patriot Act to sunset June 1, some privacy advocates and tech organizations backed changes in surveillance authorities granted to the intelligence community encouraging the passage of the USA Freedom Act, during a congressional Internet Caucus event Friday. Some like the American Civil Liberties Union don’t think the USA Freedom Act includes strong enough protections and would prefer if Section 215 were to sunset. None of the panelists at Friday’s event supported the legislation (S-1035) introduced by Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., which reauthorizes Section 215 in its current form for five years.

Bulk collection practices of communications metadata authorized by the USA Patriot Act, specifically under Section 215 authority, must end, said a letter to President Barack Obama, House and Senate leaders and intelligence officials Wednesday from the Reform Government Surveillance coalition, privacy and human rights groups, technology companies and associations. The signers acknowledged they have differing views on exactly what reforms must be included in any bill reauthorizing Section 215, which is the legal basis for NSA bulk collection program, and is set to expire on June 1. "Our broad, diverse, and bipartisan coalition believes that the status quo is untenable and that it is urgent that Congress move forward with reform,” the letter said. The groups agreed that bulk collection must end and for any collection that does occur, there should be “appropriate safeguards in place to protect privacy and users’ rights,” and collection should “contain transparency and accountability mechanisms for both government and company reporting, as well as an appropriate declassification regime for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court decisions,” the letter said. Signers included the American Civil Liberties Union, Center for Democracy & Technology, Committee to Protect Journalists, Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), Google, Human Rights Watch, Internet Association, Microsoft, Mozilla, Public Knowledge, R Street, TechFreedom and the Wikimedia Foundation. “We understand that governments play a vital role in helping protect our communities, but we must do so in a way that protects the values we cherish,” wrote Microsoft Vice President-U.S. Government Affairs Fred Humphries in a blog post Wednesday. Two years ago, Americans learned the extent of NSA dragnet surveillance, and “the time has come for this program to end,” said CCIA President Ed Black. There's no better opportunity than the expiration of the Patriot Act’s bulk collection authorities to “institute the reforms necessary to restore the balance and limitations within which Congress and the public intended for our intelligence apparatus to operate,” Black said. “We have a responsibility to protect the privacy and security of our users’ data,” while helping governments keep people safe, wrote Google Chief Legal Officer David Drummond in a blog post Wednesday. “We have little doubt that Congress can protect both national security and privacy while taking a significant, concrete step toward restoring trust in the Internet.”

Bulk collection practices of communications metadata authorized by the USA Patriot Act, specifically under Section 215 authority, must end, said a letter to President Barack Obama, House and Senate leaders and intelligence officials Wednesday from the Reform Government Surveillance coalition, privacy and human rights groups, technology companies and associations. The signers acknowledged they have differing views on exactly what reforms must be included in any bill reauthorizing Section 215, which is the legal basis for NSA bulk collection program, and is set to expire on June 1. "Our broad, diverse, and bipartisan coalition believes that the status quo is untenable and that it is urgent that Congress move forward with reform,” the letter said. The groups agreed that bulk collection must end and for any collection that does occur, there should be “appropriate safeguards in place to protect privacy and users’ rights,” and collection should “contain transparency and accountability mechanisms for both government and company reporting, as well as an appropriate declassification regime for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court decisions,” the letter said. Signers included the American Civil Liberties Union, Center for Democracy & Technology, Committee to Protect Journalists, Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), Google, Human Rights Watch, Internet Association, Microsoft, Mozilla, Public Knowledge, R Street, TechFreedom and the Wikimedia Foundation. “We understand that governments play a vital role in helping protect our communities, but we must do so in a way that protects the values we cherish,” wrote Microsoft Vice President-U.S. Government Affairs Fred Humphries in a blog post Wednesday. Two years ago, Americans learned the extent of NSA dragnet surveillance, and “the time has come for this program to end,” said CCIA President Ed Black. There's no better opportunity than the expiration of the Patriot Act’s bulk collection authorities to “institute the reforms necessary to restore the balance and limitations within which Congress and the public intended for our intelligence apparatus to operate,” Black said. “We have a responsibility to protect the privacy and security of our users’ data,” while helping governments keep people safe, wrote Google Chief Legal Officer David Drummond in a blog post Wednesday. “We have little doubt that Congress can protect both national security and privacy while taking a significant, concrete step toward restoring trust in the Internet.”

Recognizing FCC approval of net neutrality regulations raised questions about preserving the privacy of customer information, including the FTC's role (see 1502240070), FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said his agency will hold an April workshop for stakeholders to discuss how best to move forward. Wheeler did not give more specifics Tuesday night as he spoke at the Center for Democracy & Technology’s annual dinner. The agency Wednesday didn't provide more information.

Recognizing FCC approval of net neutrality regulations raised questions about preserving the privacy of customer information, including the FTC's role (see 1502240070), FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said his agency will hold an April workshop for stakeholders to discuss how best to move forward. Wheeler did not give more specifics Tuesday night as he spoke at the Center for Democracy & Technology’s annual dinner. The agency Wednesday didn't provide more information.

The specter of net neutrality legislation loomed as barbs flew at the House Communications Subcommittee hearing on the issue Wednesday. The chamber’s Republicans dug into FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s net neutrality order slated for a vote Thursday, dwelling on its Communications Act Title II reclassification of broadband, and pressed for legislation, as did three of four witnesses (see 1502240062). Wheeler didn't testify later that afternoon despite an invitation from the House Oversight Committee, which postponed its hearing.

The specter of net neutrality legislation loomed as barbs flew at the House Communications Subcommittee hearing on the issue Wednesday. The chamber’s Republicans dug into FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s net neutrality order slated for a vote Thursday, dwelling on its Communications Act Title II reclassification of broadband, and pressed for legislation, as did three of four witnesses (see 1502240062). Wheeler didn't testify later that afternoon despite an invitation from the House Oversight Committee, which postponed its hearing.

Days before the FCC votes on Chairman Tom Wheeler’s net neutrality order, both sides prepared talking points. Advocates, including key lawmakers, rallied in favor of the vote, while detractors prepared to testify before the House Communications Subcommittee Wednesday and push for the congressional legislation.