Google pushes for broad surveillance reforms

Google is pushing Congress to adopt multiple reforms to government surveillance. Google Vice President of Public Policy Susan Molinari repeated her company's calls to rein in the National Security Agency’s sweeping surveillance programs and update laws regarding government access to electronic communications.

Specifically, Molinari pointed to the USA Freedom Act -- authored by Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Rep Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), which would end government bulk collection programs. “Google recognizes the very real threats that the US and other countries face, but we strongly believe that government surveillance programs should operate under a legal framework that is rule-bound, narrowly tailored, transparent and subject to oversight,” she wrote. Molinari also called for an update to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act.