Sascha: In my capacity as the director of the New America Foundation’s Open Technology Institute, which develops communications technologies and policies to enable communities to fully participate in their economies and democracies, I have met with Obama’s chief of staff, other senior White House officials, and the existing review group. I have repeatedly offered to help organize independent security experts to provide technical expertise and assessment capabilities. Unfortunately, the administration has shown little willingness to engage independent experts and the public interest sector in such an effort. Though the review group did begin to meet with stakeholders this week, no plan has been put forward to ensure independent peer review of its evidence and findings. For now, OTI and other civil society organizations will continue to review the information that has been leaked and welcomes the opportunity to work with individuals and organizations who want to collaborate in reviewing these programs. We want to inform the public and concerned policymakers of the scale and scope of the U.S. surveillance, the negative effects on the public’s civil liberties and security, and the policy reforms that would be required to restore balance to our democracy. However, we don’t have the subpoena power, resources, or staff that the U.S. government can bring to bear. Too much remains hidden from the public, and a full accounting of what the government is doing will be difficult without the administration’s active cooperation.
Posted on: Sat, 21 Sep 2013 14:29:12 +0000
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