Google, Apple, and Microsoft Agree: NSA Spying Undermines Freedom

[Kevin_Kennedy]

In an open letter to President Obama and Congress, eight of the most prominent U.S. tech companies have demanded that strict new limits be put on government surveillance, citing revelations made earlier this summer, when stories based Edward Snowden's leaked documents began running in The Guardian. "The balance in many countries has tipped too far in favor of the state and away from the rights of the individual," they argue, "rights that are enshrined in our Constitution. This undermines the freedoms we all cherish. It’s time for a change."

They've staked out an extraordinary position.

Google, Facebook, Apple, Microsoft, Twitter, Yahoo, LinkedIn, and AOL all have an interest in restoring public trust in their products and averting new regulatory challenges in countries disinclined to let a spying hegemon control the Internet. My colleague James Fallows has written eloquently about the damage the NSA's behavior could do to U.S. economic might as other countries react to it. The companies could've made a compelling case for reform on those grounds alone.

Instead, they've gone quite a bit farther.

Google, Apple, and Microsoft Agree: NSA Spying Undermines Freedom - Conor Friedersdorf - The Atlantic

Look at that, the market demanded that these companies change their ways and the companies are forced to do so. A bit later than they should have done, perhaps, but this is a great first step.

 

[HenryBHough]

And Obama disagrees.

Guess which one has the bigger army?

 

[Kevin_Kennedy]

And Obama disagrees.

Guess which one has the bigger army?

“Resolve to serve no more, and you are at once freed. I do not ask that you place hands upon the tyrant to topple him over, but simply that you support him no longer; then you will behold him, like a great Colossus whose pedestal has been pulled away, fall of his own weight and break in pieces.” - Étienne de la Boétie

The federal government lost the support of these powerful companies when it comes to the issue of spying. The army can't change that.