Google, Apple, Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft, Yahoo Form Alliance Against NSA

mrspoonsi writes "BBC reports: Leading global technology firms have called for 'wide-scale changes' to US government surveillance. Eight firms, Google, Apple, Facebook, Twitter, AOL, Microsoft, LinkedIn, and Yahoo, have formed an alliance called Reform Government Surveillance group. The group has written a letter to the US President and Congress arguing that current surveillance practice 'undermines the freedom' of people. It comes after recent leaks detailed the extent of surveillance programs. 'We understand that governments have a duty to protect their citizens. But this summer's revelations highlighted the urgent need to reform government surveillance practices worldwide,' the group said in an open letter published on its website."

Yeah

[GroeFaZ]

And if that fails, at least give us a standardized interface to share our data, for saving costs.

Re:congrats guys and gals

[Virtucon]

Their statement should read "You're fucking up our business model and shareholder equity, stop copying us!"

PR stunt

[hochl]

They will encrypt all their traffic and hard drives but leave open the surveillance API on their running servers to access the data. Or they will share the encryption keys. "All data will be encrypted to protect customers" is nothing more but a PR stunt!

But nothing, corporations under your control

[SuperKendall]

Where is the alliance to prevent Google, Apple, Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft, and Yahoo (and Amazon) from invading our privacy...

That's in your power. Don't use them, or use them in ways you know they can't track you (disable flash/cookies etc).

It's still a VASTLY better situation than the government, which you cannot opt out of. You cannot realistically not use a phone; you cannot realistically connect to the internet at all and not be at risk of the NSA breaking into your system unwanted.

At least what companies DO is transparent. Anyone can see what the websites are sending/receiving, and you know when you are visiting or making use of them. The same is never true of the government.

That's our job

[careysb]

How dare you collect and analyze personal data on our clients! That's our job!

Re:Yeah

[robinsonne]

Of course they care about profits! In this instance though, it might just work to our advantage. These are companies with a LOT of money, and in politics money is far more important than than anything else. These companies actually have the money and clout to make anything at all change.

You really think the voters have a chance to make their voices heard?

Re:Sounds Legit...

[Anonymous Coward]

Wouldn't they be meeting agent kettle?

Re:Yeah

[TheGratefulNet]

no, I won't 'take my allies where I can find them'. they can too easily shift back to being against me. they are NOT my alies, just enemies of my enemy. haven't you been paying attention the last, say, 20 years or so?

Re:congrats guys and gals

[Curunir_wolf]

At least they are doing something. What have YOU done?

Cancelled my accounts on Google, Apple, Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft and Yahoo.