ACLU Comment on President’s Remarks on NSA Surveillance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: media@aclu.org

WASHINGTON – At a news conference today, President Obama said that his administration was evaluating the recommendations of the panel he appointed to review government surveillance policy. The panel has recommended major changes for the NSA and its programs.

Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, had this reaction:

“We welcome the willingness of the president to consider ending the government’s bulk collection of Americans’ call records. Many other reforms are necessary to bring these programs in line with the Constitution, including the passage of the USA Freedom Act. We continue to believe that Edward Snowden should be applauded, not prosecuted, for initiating this historic debate about surveillance and privacy. Revisions to the NSA’s sweeping surveillance authorities are necessary and a long time coming.”

More information on NSA spying is at:
aclu.org/nsa-surveillance