Which NSA reforms will Obama endorse?
After months of straddling the lines between privacy advocates, big Internet firms and his own intelligence services, President Barack Obama will share his plans for the National Security Agency (NSA) this Friday.
According to a recent report by The New York Times, he may endorse three suggestions made by a review panel he appointed to investigate the government's surveillance program.
Possible Obama actions
Limit government access to bulk data
This would tighten mass telephone data collection, limiting it to people two steps removed from suspects. It would also limit how many years that data is available.
Privacy safeguards for foreigners
Essentially codifies previous practices, and calls for a six-month study by the director of national intelligence about further action.
Add a public advocate to the FISA court
An independent advocate would be assigned to monitor the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.
The Times also reported that two key recommendations may not get the president’s nod of approval:
- Leaving bulk data to telecommunications firms, instead of the NSA. Phone companies complain that the responsibility could turn into a liability, while intelligence officials say it would be inefficient.
- Requiring the NSA to obtain "national security letters" before accessing business records. The intelligence community also cites inefficency for objecting to this move.
On Tuesday, members of the NSA review panel spoke in detail to the Senate Judiciary Committee about some of their recommendations, including bulk data collection.
Panel member Geoffrey Stone voiced concern over the NSA's access to metadata.
“Our judgment is that the government should not have access to this type of information,” Stone said. “If it does, there’s always the possibility of someone coming along, down the road, and seeing this as a great opportunity to get political dirt on individuals.”
The committee 's chairman, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said there was more to the issue than national security.
"We’re really having a debate about Americans’ fundamental relationship with their own government. The government exists for Americans, not the other way around,” Leahy said.
Former Deputy CIA Director Michael Morell said he believed that Section 215 of the Patriot Act (which deals with the collection of telephone metadata) is essential.
“I find substantial value in any tool that helps us prevent attacks," he said. "I believe 215 carries the potential to prevent attacks. That's why I think it needs to continue.”
Leahy on the NSA
"We’re really having a debate about Americans’ fundamental relationship with their own government. The government exists for Americans, not the other way around.” — Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.
Tuesday's session was one of many since former federal contractor Edward Snowden last year revealed the agency’s secret domestic counterterrorism activities.
In December, NSA Director Keith Alexander insisted the programs are critical to national security.
“In recent years these programs, together with other intelligence, have protected the U.S. and our allies from terrorist threats across the globe ... potential terrorist events over 50 times since 9/11,” said Alexander.
There are major differences among members of Congress over what to do. And no matter what the president decides to endorse, many of the proposed changes cannot happen without an act of Congress.
What will the president decide to endorse?
How can the government enhance privacy while continuing to protect the United States?
How will his decisions affect the institution of the NSA?
We consulted a panel of experts for the Inside Story.
our on-air guest panel of nsa insiders
The above panel was assembled for the broadcast of "Inside Story" to discuss.
For future hard-hitting conversations, find Al Jazeera America on your TV.
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