The largest and most influential technology companies have begun a campaign to encourage the US authorities to be more transperant about PRISM and other data monitoring programmes.
The calls come after Edward Snowden - currently residing in Hong Kong - leaked details about the controversial NSA PRISM programme.
Although several US politicians, including President Obama, have defended the programme and called for Snowden to be arrested & charged, many have praised the whistleblower for leaking the information about the secret data gathering and monitoring project.
An official White House petition requesting Snowden's pardon has received over 80,000 signatures.
However, technology companies - who are legally obliged to share information about users or customers with local, state or federal authorities when requested - have vocally spoken out against PRISM and the secrecy surrounding security orders. Google and others have entered into negotions to encourage the US Government to allow companies to release full information about data requests through annual transperancy reports.
To draw attention to the issue, a number of companies have released general figures outlining the data requests they have received between December 2012 and the end of May this year. They have been authorised to release the limited information in light of recent revelations, although detailed statistics remain classified.
The figures encompass everything from local sherriff requests about missing people to NSA requests concerning potential terrorist threats.
Yahoo!
12-13,000 requests
Statement: Like all companies, Yahoo! cannot lawfully break out FISA request numbers at this time because those numbers are classified; however, we strongly urge the federal government to reconsider its stance on this issue.... Democracy demands accountability.
21,000+ requests in second half of 2012
Statement: We therefore ask [the Government] 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.
Apple
4-5,000 requests
Statement: Regardless of the circumstances, our Legal team conducts an evaluation of each request and, only if appropriate, we retrieve and deliver the narrowest possible set of information to the authorities. In fact, from time to time when we see inconsistencies or inaccuracies in a request, we will refuse to fulfill it.
9-10,000 requests affecting 18-19,000 accounts
Statement: With more than 1.1 billion monthly active users worldwide, this means that a tiny fraction of one percent of our user accounts were the subject of any kind of U.S. state, local, or federal U.S. government request (including criminal and national security-related requests) in the past six months. We hope this helps put into perspective the numbers involved, and lays to rest some of the hyperbolic and false assertions in some recent press accounts about the frequency and scope of the data requests that we receive... But particularly in light of continued confusion and inaccurate reporting related to this issue, we’ve advocated for the ability to say even more.
Microsoft
6-7,000 requests affecting 31-32,000 accounts
Statement: We appreciate the effort by U.S. government today to allow us to report more information. We understand they have to weigh carefully the impacts on national security of allowing more disclosures. With more time, we hope they will take further steps. Transparency alone may not be enough to restore public confidence, but it’s a great place to start.
