Private Internet Access implores Representative Crow to protect internet privacy by voting “NO” on H.R. 6172
RE: Vote “NO” on H.R. 6172, USA FREEDOM Reauthorization Act of 2020
Dear Representative Crow,
Private Internet Access implores you to vote “NO” on H.R. 6172, the USA FREEDOM Reauthorization Act of 2020 which would extend and expand the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to allow access to internet history without a warrant. According to 2018 data by Statista, 89.4% of Colorado households have a broadband internet connection. With the proliferation of smartphones and other connected devices as well as public WiFi hotspots, suffice to say that the majority of Colorado uses the internet – especially in your urban district.
Internet use is a highly private endeavor for many people and an individual’s internet history often represents their most private thoughts and moments as well as a fount for freedom of speech. The mass surveillance programs authorized by Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT ACT have already been suspended before due to compliance violations and H.R. 6172 would renew and expand that power to include internet history. As an internet company in your district, Private Internet Access implores you to vote against this privacy violating act.
As is, H.R. 6172 does not contain an adequate amount of reforms to the FISA and the USA PATRIOT Act. As the ACLU and FreedomWorks jointly wrote to the Senate in March:
“[…] the bill fails to clearly prohibit the government from collecting other types of sensitive records, including web browsing and search history, despite thoughtful proposals from members of both parties to exclude these and other types of sensitive information.”
As amended by the Senate since the House last passed H.R. 6217 on March 11th, 2020, the bill will allow the Department of Justice (DOJ) to access the internet history of Americans without a warrant by expanding the USA PATRIOT ACT. We urge you to vote against H.R. 6172 unless positive amendments are added to reform the bill to respect the privacy rights of Americans.
Congress must protect the internet history of Americans.
We urge you to vote “NO” on H.R. 6172, The USA FREEDOM Reauthorization Act of 2020.
About Private Internet Access
Headquartered in Denver, CO – Private Internet Access (PIA) is an industry leading no log Virtual Private Network (VPN) service with over 1 million subscribers. PIA is a long time supporter of digital rights and civil liberties organizations such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Fight for the Future.
Please reach out to Caleb Chen ([email protected]) with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Private Internet Access
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RE: Vote “NO” on H.R. 6172, USA FREEDOM Reauthorization Act of 2020
Dear Representative [Your Representative’s Last Name],
[Company/Individual name] implores you to vote “NO” on H.R. 6172, the USA FREEDOM Reauthorization Act of 2020 which would extend and expand the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to allow access to internet history without a warrant. According to 2018 data by Statista, 87.27% of American households have a broadband internet connection. With the proliferation of smartphones and other connected devices as well as public WiFi hotspots, suffice to say that the majority of the United States uses the internet.
Internet use can be a private endeavor for many people and an individual’s internet history often represents their most private thoughts and moments as well as a fount for freedom of speech. The mass surveillance programs authorized by Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT ACT have already been suspended before due to compliance violations and H.R. 6172 would renew and expand that power to include internet history. As an internet user in your district, [Company/Individual Name] implores you to vote against this privacy violating act.
As is, H.R. 6172 does not contain an adequate amount of reforms to the FISA and the USA PATRIOT Act. As the ACLU and FreedomWorks wrote to the Senate in March:
“[…] the bill fails to clearly prohibit the government from collecting other types of sensitive records, including web browsing and search history, despite thoughtful proposals from members of both parties to exclude these and other types of sensitive information.”
As amended by the Senate since the House last passed H.R. 6217 on March 11th, 2020, the bill will allow the Department of Justice (DOJ) to access the internet history of Americans without a warrant by expanding the USA PATRIOT ACT. We urge you to vote against H.R. 6172 unless positive amendments are added to reform the bill to respect the privacy rights of Americans.
Congress must protect the internet history of Americans.
We urge you to vote “NO” on H.R. 6172, The USA FREEDOM Reauthorization Act of 2020.
Please reach out to [Contact Name] ([Contact Email]) with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
[Company/Individual name]
