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RGS Statement on Issuance of Draft EU Adequacy Decision
Washington, DC – The Reform Government Surveillance (RGS) coalition today released a statement recognizing the publication of the European Commission’s draft adequacy decision on the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework. This draft adequacy decision follows the October 2022 U.S. Executive Order by President Joe Biden and regulations issued by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. “RGS commends the European Commission’s announcement that it has started the process of adopting an ad
Dec 14, 2022
RGS Statement on EU-U.S. Date Privacy Framework
The Reform Government Surveillance (RGS) coalition today released a statement supporting President Biden’s Executive Order on Enhancing Safeguards for United States Signals Intelligence Activities, implementing the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework agreement. “RGS applauds the Executive Order implementing the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework, which was agreed to with the European Commission earlier this year. The newly adopted safeguards as part of the EO will support EU-U.S. dat
Oct 7, 2022
RGS Applauds House Passage of NDO Fairness Act
The Reform Government Surveillance coalition (RGS) applauds the bipartisan House passage of the NDO Fairness Act introduced by Representatives Jerry Nadler and Scott Fitzgerald. The NDO Fairness Act strengthens the non-disclosure order (NDO) process by ensuring NDOs are only issued after meaningful judicial review of the need for secrecy. This bill is a significant step toward improving laws to better protect individuals’ constitutional rights in the digital age. When law en
Jun 21, 2022
RGS Applauds Senate Introduction of NDO Fairness Act
The Reform Government Surveillance coalition (RGS) applauds the bipartisan Senate introduction of the NDO Fairness Act by Senators Patrick Leahy and Mike Lee. The NDO Fairness Act would strengthen the nondisclosure order (NDO) process by ensuring NDOs are only issued after meaningful judicial review of the need for secrecy. This bill is a significant step toward improving laws to better protect individuals’ constitutional rights in the digital age. When law enforcement agenc
Jun 13, 2022
RGS Urges Adoption of New York's Reverse Location Search Prohibition Act
Reform Government Surveillance supports the adoption of New York Assembly Bill A84A, the Reverse Location Search Prohibition Act, which would prohibit the use of reverse location and reverse keyword searches. This bill, if passed into law, would be the first of its kind to address the increasing use of law enforcement requests that, instead of relying on individual suspicion, request data pertaining to individuals who may have been in a specific vicinity or used a certain sea
May 5, 2022
RGS Applauds Bipartisan House Judiciary Committee Passage of NDO Fairness Act
The Reform Government Surveillance coalition (RGS) applauds the House Judiciary Committee’s markup and passage of the NDO Fairness Act. This bipartisan bill strengthens the nondisclosure order (NDO) process by ensuring NDOs are issued after meaningful judicial review of the need for secrecy. This bill is a significant step towards improving our laws to better protect the constitutional rights of individuals in the digital age. When law enforcement agencies seek an individual
Apr 6, 2022
RGS Supports Introduction of NDO Fairness Act
The Reform Government Surveillance coalition (RGS) supports the NDO Fairness Act introduced by Chairman Nadler and Representative Fitzgerald. The NDO Fairness Act would help move the law into the 21st century by ensuring that the government informs users of requests for their information, and allows providers to do the same, except in extraordinary circumstances. Secrecy should be the exception, not the norm, and this bill provides courts with a meaningful and rigorous standa
Mar 15, 2022
RGS Recognizes Global Encryption Day
RGS is proud to recognize Global Encryption Day by joining the Global Encryption Coalition and individuals and organizations around the world in a joint statement underscoring the important role of encryption. You may read the joint statement here, or below: “Strong encryption is a critical technology that helps keep people, their information, and communications private and secure. It underpins online trust, protects members of vulnerable communities, and safeguards the data
Oct 21, 2021
RGS Statement on Importance of Transatlantic Flows
“Every day, millions of American and European consumers, non-profit organizations, government agencies and businesses rely on the services and products offered by RGS-member companies. Cross-border data flows are essential to our ability to connect people and serve businesses and governments across the Atlantic. RGS companies are committed to protecting the privacy of those who use our services, and to safeguard personal data. We urge the US and European governments to take t
May 18, 2021
RGS Statement on the EARN IT Act
“The Reform Government Surveillance coalition (RGS) shares the goals of the EARN IT Act’s sponsors to eradicate child sexual abuse material (CSAM). RGS companies are committed to keeping people, especially children, safe on and offline. We invest in, deploy, and share technologies across industry aimed at thwarting the dissemination of this abhorrent content. As currently drafted, the EARN IT Act raises significant Fourth Amendment concerns that could ultimately threaten the
Jun 30, 2020
RGS Opposes Lawful Access to the Encrypted Data Act
“The Reform Government Surveillance Coalition strongly opposes the Lawful Access to Encrypted Data Act. This bill would require companies to build encryption backdoors that would jeopardize the sensitive data of our billions of users and the security of our products and services. It would leave all Americans, businesses, and government agencies dangerously exposed to cyber threats from criminals and foreign adversaries, and make us all less safe. The global pandemic has force
Jun 25, 2020
RGS Supports Amendments to the USA Freedom Act of 2020
“The Reform Government Surveillance coalition (RGS) supports Senators Lee, Leahy, Wyden, and Daines in their efforts to strengthen the...
May 8, 2020
RGS Urges Passage of Amash-Lofgren FISA 702 Amendment
PRESS CONTACT: Stacey Hutchinson, info@reformgovernmentsurveillance.com 202-719-9999 x227 Reform Government Surveillance (RGS) urges passage of the proposed Amash-Lofgren FISA 702 reform amendment (Division C, amendment #24) to H.R. 2740. RGS believes this amendment is a step in the right direction for U.S. foreign intelligence surveillance policy. RGS supports clarity of law and oversight of surveillance authorities, two principles that would be strengthened by the passage o
Jun 18, 2019
RGS Urges Australian Parliament to Correct Flaws in Assistance and Access Bill
One of the core principles of the Reform Government Surveillance coalition (RGS) is that strong encryption of devices and services protects the privacy and data security of our users, while also promoting free expression and the free flow of information around the world. RGS has consistently opposed any government action that would undermine the cybersecurity, human rights, or the right to privacy of our users – unfortunately, the Assistance and Access Bill that was just pass
Dec 7, 2018
RGS Urges Congress and President to Act on Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board Nominations
The Reform Government Surveillance coalition (RGS) urges the Senate to act promptly on the nominations of Adam Klein, Ed Felten, and Jane Nitze to be members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB). All three of these nominations were reported by the Senate Judiciary Committee by voice vote and are now ready for consideration by the full Senate. The PCLOB works to ensure that the U.S. government’s counterterrorism efforts are balanced with the need to prote
Jul 17, 2018
Statement on CSIS's New Report: Low-Hanging Fruit: Evidence-Based Solutions to the Digital Evidence
The Center for Strategic and International Studies’ (CSIS) report, Low-Hanging Fruit: Evidence-Based Solutions to the Digital Evidence Challenge, provides thoughtful analysis and a number of practical recommendations to help law enforcement solve crimes in the digital age. As providers of information technology products and services, the members of the Reform Government Surveillance (RGS) coalition are deeply committed to the security and privacy of our users. We also take ve
Jun 25, 2018
Tech giants hit by NSA spying slam encryption backdoors
The tech coalition includes Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Verizon and Yahoo’s parent company Oath — all of which were hit by claims of complicity with US government’s surveillance. A coalition of Silicon Valley tech giants has doubled down on its criticism of encryption backdoors following a proposal that would give law enforcement access to locked and encrypted devices. The group, which focuses on efforts to reform government surveillance, said in a statement that
May 2, 2018
Statement on Reports of Exceptional Access Proposals
Reform Government Surveillance recently announced a new core principle on encryption that will guide our advocacy efforts, and we continue to believe that strong encryption helps protect the security and privacy of individuals and companies around the world. We have consistently raised concerns about proposals that would undermine encryption of devices and services by requiring so-called “exceptional access” for law enforcement. Recent reports have described new proposals to
May 1, 2018
Reform Government Surveillance Announces New Core Principle on the Importance of Strong Encryption
CONTACT: Chan Park info@reformgovernmentsurveillance.com 202-719-9999 ext. 203 Washington, D.C. — Reform Government Surveillance (RGS), a coalition of tech companies that advocates for common sense government surveillance reform, announced today that its members have agreed on a sixth core principle to guide its advocacy efforts going forward. The core principle, ‘Ensuring Security and Privacy through Strong Encryption,’ reads in full: Ensuring Security and Privacy Through S
Apr 24, 2018
Statement on the FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017, H.R. 4478
The Reform Government Surveillance coalition has significant concerns with the FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017, H.R. 4478, as currently drafted. Unless changes are made to the bill, Reform Government Surveillance opposes this legislation. Reform Government Surveillance continues to advocate for common sense legislation to reform Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. While we recognize that Section 702 provides the intelligence community with
Dec 1, 2017
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