Tech groups ask US for transparency in secret data requests

Influential technology companies and groups want the U.S. government to lift restrictions on publicizing secret requests for user data as the fallout continues over the scale of government surveillance.

Google, Facebook and Reddit are among the many signatories to a letter dated Thursday asking for more transparency in national-security related investigations. The letter’s addressees include President Barack Obama, the National Security Agency and many House and Senate members.

“Basic information about how the government uses its various law enforcement–related investigative authorities has been published for years without any apparent disruption to criminal investigations,” according to the letter, a copy of which was provided to IDG News Service.

SOURCE: pcworld.com