Yahoo and Facebook Join Google In FISC Petition After Government Talks Fail 114
msm1267 writes "Google, Yahoo and Facebook filed amended requests today with the U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court reiterating their desire to publish numbers on requests for user data related to national security. Google, meanwhile, went a step further asking for an open, public hearing with the court so that the issue could be publicly debated."
Statements from Yahoo's general counsel (filed motion [PDF]) and Facebook's general counsel (filed motion [PDF]). According to Facebook, "In recent weeks, it has become clear that the dialogue with the U.S. government that produced some additional transparency at the outset is at this point unlikely to result in more progress. As a result, today we are joining others in the industry in petitioning the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to require the government to permit companies to disclose more information about the volume and types of national security-related orders they receive."
Just realase the fucking info already (Score:3, Insightful)
There's no constitutional or legal basis for them not releasing it. If any any NSA or lawyer human filth shows up and says otherwise a bullet in the head will fix it.
Problem solved.
You know that things are bad... (Score:5, Insightful)
It's like having the horsemen of the apocalypse criticizing your policy decisions.
Re:Gets popcorn (Score:2, Insightful)
Google, Yahoo, and Facebook weren't this vocal before the Snowden Chronicles. Disingenuous bullshit from all. This is only damage-control so they can continue making more money, it has nothing to do with your rights. Bootlicker.
-- Ethanol-fueled
Re:Gets popcorn (Score:5, Insightful)
That they are big enough to take the risk of standing up for our freedoms
They have petitioned the government to publish the number of requests they fully respond to. After the spying scandals have started (not before)
That is a far cry from "standing up for our freedoms". They are not contesting any of the requests yet, are they?
Re:Gets popcorn (Score:5, Insightful)
Google, Yahoo, and Facebook weren't this vocal before the Snowden Chronicles. Disingenuous bullshit from all. This is only damage-control so they can continue making more money...
Well, let's face it. Right now these companies are probably seeing their plans for future growth go down the toilet - after all, why would anyone (especially from outside the US) even consider using their services now? I know the reports so far say they haven't taken a significant hit, but most businesses don't turn on a dime... any exit would need to be thought through. I expect this whole situation will be very bad for these companies as we get a year or two out.
But whatever their selfish motivations, these actions are ultimately to our benefit. They certainly have more clout than we do.
Re:Just realase the fucking info already (Score:5, Insightful)
How is this a troll? Rude and blunt, maybe, but they're right. There is no constitutional basis for not releasing the information.
A bullet might be a little bit overkill, but it depends on the threats that the "human filth" makes to Facebook/Yahoo/Google first, doesn't it?
Constitution ? What "constitution" ? (Score:4, Insightful)
There's no constitutional or legal basis for them not releasing it
I am afraid that we are living in a world where the CONSTITUTION ain't worth a shit to those in power.
To us, the powerless the CONSTITUTION still means something - because it serves as a shield against abuse.
But to those living and working inside Washington D.C., the CONSTITUTION is anything but a mere piece of paper, as for them, POWER IS EVERYTHING.
Their subjugation of their subjects (aka, people like you and me) did not start yesterday. It started DECADES AGO, it's only now that they have gained so much power that they have become SO EMBOLDEN that they dare to publicly dis-regard the Constitution and everything that was stated inside the Constitution.
Who is to blame for it ? Them in Washington, D.C., or us, the voters who voted them in, every fucking four years, without fail ?