Google, Facebook ask FISA for permission to release information on government requests

Google and Facebook said that they, along with other tech firms, have submitted an amended petition to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court asking for permission to publish more information about the requests they receive from the government.

Several companies have asked the surveillance court to allow them to release more information about these requests in an effort to increase transparency and trust with their users in the wake of revelations about surveillance programs conducted by the National Security Agency. Google said that it’s asking for permission to publish “detailed statistics about the types (if any) of national security requests” it receives under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Facebook general counsel Colin Stretch said that while the government has allowed companies such as Facebook to disclose some information about requests it receives from the government, the ability to be more specific would allow it to ease consumer concerns.