CCIA: Web Freedom & FBI Subpoenas
Arizona Republican Rep. Jeff Flake told members of a high-tech trade group on Tuesday that he believes the private sector is making progress in setting its own guidelines for doing business in countries whose governments suppress Internet free speech rights. Google, Yahoo, Microsoft and other U.S. firms came under fire on Capitol Hill in the 109th Congress for their investments in China.
Flake said he trusts the market "more than some might" and recent meetings with representatives from affected corporations show that they are working on the issue. "I don't think you want to wait for government to decide which countries you can operate in," he said at a Computer and Communications Industry Association conference. "I'd rather put our stamp of approval on [an industry-created plan] than try to come up with something ourselves."
He also weighed in on the FBI's improper use of secret subpoenas for electronic records called "national security letters." He said the current standard for how the agency oversees the program is "a little too loosey-goosey." Flake said the government must ensure that its surveillance tools do not overreach.
While he said he wished Republicans still controlled Congress and the White House, Flake noted: "We'll probably strike a better balance given the divided government." Key committees in the Democrat-led House and Senate have already held hearings on the controversial FBI program.
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