Slashdot Mirror
Google, Apple, Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft, Yahoo Form Alliance Against NSA
mrspoonsi writes "BBC reports: Leading global technology firms have called for 'wide-scale changes' to US government surveillance. Eight firms, Google, Apple, Facebook, Twitter, AOL, Microsoft, LinkedIn, and Yahoo, have formed an alliance called Reform Government Surveillance group. The group has written a letter to the US President and Congress arguing that current surveillance practice 'undermines the freedom' of people. It comes after recent leaks detailed the extent of surveillance programs. 'We understand that governments have a duty to protect their citizens. But this summer's revelations highlighted the urgent need to reform government surveillance practices worldwide,' the group said in an open letter published on its website."
And if that fails, at least give us a standardized interface to share our data, for saving costs.
The grass is always greener on the other side of the light cone.
Their statement should read "You're fucking up our business model and shareholder equity, stop copying us!"
Harrison's Postulate - "For every action there is an equal and opposite criticism"
Where is the alliance to prevent Google, Apple, Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft, and Yahoo (and Amazon) from invading our privacy...
That's in your power. Don't use them, or use them in ways you know they can't track you (disable flash/cookies etc).
It's still a VASTLY better situation than the government, which you cannot opt out of. You cannot realistically not use a phone; you cannot realistically connect to the internet at all and not be at risk of the NSA breaking into your system unwanted.
At least what companies DO is transparent. Anyone can see what the websites are sending/receiving, and you know when you are visiting or making use of them. The same is never true of the government.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
How dare you collect and analyze personal data on our clients! That's our job!