Sorry, no Tech Tuesday today – instead a brief post about need for more dramatic NSA reform than what has been proposed so far. It is already 4:30pm but I still suggest that you call your representative or senator in Washington, DC. Here are what I believe to be important demands. First, to put the NSA under civilian leadership subject to Senate confirmation (instead of military). Second, to break up the NSA into multiple agencies, one focused on actually protecting networks (one of the NSA’s missions), one with an international mandate (which can potentially continue to operate covertly) and one that would deal with any domestic intelligence gathering to the extent we decide we want that. Third, any domestic efforts must be fully disclosed on an ongoing basis and must be approved by Congress and subject to the regular courts of law (not a secret court as is the case with FISA). Fourth, starting a public debate about what (if any) domestic surveillance activities should be conducted. None of this should be controversial no matter where you stand on the political spectrum. So please call today!
