US tech giants launch campaign for NSA reforms

Setting aside their differences, eight top US technology companies including Google, Facebook and Microsoft, have joined hands to press the Obama administration and the Congress to reform the secretive National Security Agency.
The agency is in controversy following the leak of classified documents by fugitive CIA operative Edward Snowden, revealing that it indulged in massive telephone and internet surveillance both inside and outside the US, at times sneaking into people's private communications, compromising the security settings of these technology giants.
"This summer's revelations highlighted the urgent need to reform government surveillance practices worldwide," the firms wrote in an open letter to the US President and members of the Congress in national print advertisements today.

Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Twitter, Yahoo, AOL and LinkedIn wrote the letter calling for a global reform of state-led spying.
"The balance in many countries has tipped too far in favour of the state and away from the rights of the individual - rights that are enshrined in our Constitution. This undermines the freedoms we all cherish. It's time for a change," the letter said.
As such, technology giants urged the US to take the lead and make reforms that ensure that government surveillance efforts are clearly restricted by law, proportionate to the risks, transparent and subject to independent oversight.

"We are focused on keeping user's data secure - deploying the latest encryption technology to prevent unauthorised surveillance on our networks and by pushing back on government requests to ensure that they are legal and reasonable in scope," the letter said.

It said US surveillance programs shouldn't keep American tech companies from operating internationally, including in countries that oppose US access to their citizens' data.
"People won't use technology they don't trust," said Microsoft's Brad Smith. "Governments have put this trust at risk, and governments need to help restore it."
"Protecting the privacy of our users is incredibly important to Yahoo. Recent revelations about government surveillance activities have shaken the trust of our users, and it is time for the US to act to restore the confidence of citizens around the world," said Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer.

"The security of users' data is critical, which is why we've invested so much in encryption and fight for transparency around government requests for information," said Google CEO Larry Page.