[June 9th, 2013: Detroit Leprechaun]
(Cut out introduction for RG). I recently grew very concerned over alarming news about a project called PRISM recently disclosed by whistleblowers
PRISM appears to me to be a project between the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) where they collect data from everyday Americans on the Internet. They do so by having the 9 largest companies on the Internet (Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Apple, AOL, Skype, PalTalk, YouTube, and Yahoo) cooperate and yield all of their information on users of their technology over
The Washington Post recently published an article about this on June 6, 2013. It stated that all those who had known about PRISM were bound to secrecy by oath. Also in it was enclosed a quote from the Director of National Intelligence, James R. Clapper. He was quoted:
“Information collected under this program is among the most important and valuable foreign intelligence information we collect, and is used to protect our nation from a wide variety of threats. The unauthorized disclosure of information about this important and entirely legal program is reprehensible and risks important protections for the security of Americans.”
I feel that this is a serious breach of the right to privacy and violates the Fourth Amendment, which states, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” PRISM supposedly “[extracts] audio and video chats, photographs, e-mails, documents, and connection logs that enable analysts to track foreign targets,” according to the Washington Post, citing an acquired document. It therefore searches through the people’s electronic papers without probable cause
Many people may state that it does not matter because they do not do anything illegal on the Internet, but it is the principle of the thing that matters. Another argument in favor of PRISM is that it could help with safety within our nation. Benjamin Franklin had a quote about that; however, and I suggest that we all adhere to his words of wisdom, “those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” I suggest that the PRISM project be ended by prohibiting companies from giving out user information without the users consent. Many users do not read the terms of service, so I suggest that the allowance request be made blatantly obvious
I was hoping that you might express your opinion on PRISM and phone tapping. If you support it, please explain why. If not, I would appreciate it if you voiced your dissenting opinion publicly or to fellow members of Congress
[October 2, 2013: Congressman Kerry Bentivolio]
Thank you for taking the time to contact me, and for voicing your concerns about the National Security Agency (NSA) programs that were recently revealed to be wholesale monitoring and recording of American citizens’ phone call and e-mails
I share your serious concern about this program, which is not only a complete violation of the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, but one of unprecedented scale, violating the rights of literally hundred of millions of law-abiding Americans
When I voted against the Cyber Information Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) earlier this year, I was one of only a few (less than 30) Republicans who viewed the potential for abuse of citizens’ privacy as too great a hazard to justify for the sake of fighting cyber-attacks
Now it appears that our privacy was being violated all along
As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I think it is very likely hearings will be held, and legislation will be pursued. I will work to ensure that real action is taking on this pressing issue, this year, and keep you informed as the situation develops
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there is anything more I can do for you. It is an honor to represent Michigan’s 11th district in Congress
