(Washington, D.C., January 16, 2014) -- The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) and the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), recognizing that governments around the world engage in surveillance, issued a set of global principles  intended to apply to government collection of private sector data from commercial entities. The seven Global Principles, which are being released one day before the President is scheduled to announce proposed reforms, include a call for greater transparency, appropriate oversight, and enhanced multi-national dialogue among all governments engaged in surveillance activities.

 “As we await President Obama’s announcement on the Administration’s proposed reforms, this call for action is aimed at constructively widening the lens to include important additional considerations, and as well, other countries. Our nation, like most other countries, has strong national security interests that must be protected and hence we expect a future where governments will be engaged in national security activities,” stated Dean Garfield, President and CEO of ITI.  “The evaluation of the reach of those surveillance capabilities, however, must factor in the privacy of individuals and as well economic security. It is only in that context that we can best arrive at the appropriate policy parameters that fully take into account the security benefits, as well as the costs.”

“With these principles, the tech industry is providing constructive solutions for achieving both security and privacy,” stated Ken Wasch, President of SIIA. “These are clear, practical steps that the U.S. and governments around the world can take to ensure that their national security interests are protected in a way that upholds citizens’ right to privacy.”

 

Surveillance reform efforts in the U.S. are an essential part of restoring the public trust both domestically and internationally. To that end, ITI and SIIA eagerly await President Obama’s remarks tomorrow regarding the reforms the Administration supports. In addition to U.S. reforms, however, ITI and SIIA are calling for policy engagement by governments around the world. Surveillance by governments around the world is a reality. At the same time, citizens of the world want to trust their governments. That trust is critical to a healthy global economy.

 

ITI and SIIA urge governments around the world to draw on the principles released today as they consider how trust can be restored.

 

About ITI

The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) is the premier advocacy and policy organization for the world’s leading innovation companies.  ITI navigates the relationships between policymakers, companies, and non-governmental organizations, providing creative solutions that advance the development and use of technology around the world.  Visit www.itic.org to learn more. 

Follow us on Twitter @ ITI_TechTweets

About SIIA
SIIA is the leading association representing the software and digital content industries. SIIA represents approximately 800 member companies worldwide that develop software and digital information content. Information technology (IT) and software security are critical issues to SIIA’s members, many of whom strive to develop safe, secure and state-of the-art products that effectively serve their commercial and government customers alike, while protecting their intellectual property. For further information, visit www.siia.net.

ITI CONTACT: Adora Jenkins, ajenkins@itic.org 202-524-4397

SIIA CONTACT: Laura Greenback, lgreenback@siia.net 202-789-4461 

Related [Surveillance Reform, Data & Privacy]