Major Tech Firms Create "Reform Government Surveillance" Coalition

Eight tech giants including Facebook, Google, Apple and Twitter are urging the President, the United States Congress and world leaders to reform government surveillance laws and reassess intelligence practices in light of last summer’s Snowden leaks.

The overarching principles guiding the alliance include limiting the government’s authority to collect user information, increasing accountability and transparency, respecting the “free flow” of information and protecting citizens’ privacy even when laws differ internationally.

In an open letter to Washington, the CEOs “urge the U.S.