Forty six recommendations aimed at protecting national security, advancing foreign policy and respecting privacy and civil liberties, were given to President Obama on December 18 by his Review Group on Intelligence and Communication Technologies.
The report, Liberty and Security in a Changing World, was created by the four month old group whose members are experts in counterterrorism, intelligence, oversight, privacy and civil liberties. President Obama created the group in light of “unprecedented advances in information and communications technologies; increased globalization of trade, investment, and information flows; and fluid national security threats against which the American public rightly expects its government to provide protection,” according to an RGICT statement.
In formulating their suggestions, the group had to keep in mind the best way to protect the sanctity of the nation as a whole while protecting the sanctity of privacy. To find the balance between these two goals, the group had to examine historical and anticipated risks to privacy, freedoms and civil liberties along with risks to the countries relationship with other nations and ability to succeed commercially.
The suggestions include limiting data storage so that the government can only access it under certain circumstances. The report also suggests that the government not be able to store mass amounts of data, but rather only be permitted to do so in light of a reasonable threat. Any government request of data from companies should also, according to the report, be made public by both the relevant company and the government. Further, the word request is to be emphasized by the suggestions because RGICT recommend greater restrictions to prevent the government from compelling organizations for data.
Other recommendations toward the “creation of sturdy foundations for the future, safeguarding…liberty and security in a rapidly changing world” include:
-Programs should only be kept secret if the program serves a compelling government interest and its ability would be substantially impaired if it were public.
-Any information gathered must be used exclusively in relation to the national security of the U.S. and its allies. Information gathered about other activities not related to security must not be used.
-Software that can collect targeted data rather than bulk-data collection should be created and used.
-The director of the National Security Agency should be a Senate confirmed position. Civilians should be able to hold the position. The RGICT recommends a civilian should be seriously considered for the post.
-A privacy and civil liberties policy official should be appointed to the National Security Staff
-The NSA should not attempt to weaken commercial encryption meant to secure information. They should encourage greater encryption by all American companies.
After President Obama went over the recommendations with the group, he noted the value of it as individuals of divergent backgrounds had come to a consensus on all 46 recommendations. The President intends to spend the next several weeks going over the report with members of his national security team to determine which recommendations should be implemented. He will address the public regarding the report in January.
By Aliza Chasan
