Facebook to Google Say NSA Spying Bill is Unacceptable

A group of technology companies, including Facebook Inc. (FB), Google Inc. (GOOG) and Apple Inc. (AAPL), said the bill U.S. lawmakers plan to vote on today to limit National Security Agency spying doesnt go far enough.

The legislation has moved in the wrong direction, the Reform Government Surveillance coalition said in a statement yesterday. The coalition formed last year in an effort to distance Internet companies from perceptions that they willingly cooperated with government surveillance programs.

Objections by the companies, which also include Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) and Yahoo! Inc. (YHOO), come after Republicans in the House of Representatives negotiated in private with President Barack Obamas administration to alter the legislation. Its the only bill lawmakers from both major parties have been able to agree on to curb NSA powers almost a year after spying was exposed in documents leaked by former U.S. contractor Edward Snowden.

The latest draft opens up an unacceptable loophole that could enable the bulk collection of Internet users data, the coalition said. While it makes important progress, we cannot support this bill as currently drafted and urge Congress to close this loophole to ensure meaningful reform.

Protesters march to the U.S. Capitol to voice opposition to government surveillance of online activity and phone calls, on Oct. 26, 2013. Close

Protesters march to the U.S. Capitol to voice opposition to government surveillance of... Read More

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Protesters march to the U.S. Capitol to voice opposition to government surveillance of online activity and phone calls, on Oct. 26, 2013.

The bill, H.R. 3361, is expected by congressional leaders to have enough votes to pass the Republican-controlled House. The opposition from the companies, while not helpful, wont doom the bill, said Representative Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican and chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.

Obviously they have some influence but I dont see that as a deal killer, McCaul said in an interview.

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Facebook to Google Say NSA Spying Bill is Unacceptable