In President Obama’s recent news conference, he expressed his thoughts on tightening up and improving NSA programs, as well as his opinion on NSA leaker Edward Snowden! Hit the jump for more detail..
After receiving intense political pressure, President Obama held a news conference earlier today and expressed his thoughts on a number of issues focusing on National Security. He spoke on the importance of tightening surveillance and privacy issues, after documents were revealed by NSA leaker Edward Snowden.
“The most significant proposal would restructure the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to provide for an advocate for privacy concerns”
President Obama is also seeking changes in the Patriot Act, looking to: “increase oversight and place more constraints on the provision that permits government seizure of business records”. The controversial program allows the collection of phone records for the majority of Americans.
NSA leaker Snowden sparked concern and outrage nationwide when he released two programs. A vast collection of American’s phone records as well as a “set of court-ordered partnerships with Silicon Valley companies to provide account information for foreign-intelligence investigations”. President Obama stated his opinions toward the leaker stating: “I don’t see Snowden as a patriot”. He continued, saying that it did “trigger” a “more rapid and passionate response”.
The president assured those that have any questions on surveillance, that there is much reason for it, given the events that have occurred. He goes into stating: “It’s not enough for me to have confidence in these programs, the American people must have confidence as well.” As well as stating that “America is not interested on spying on ordinary people”.
**Check out video of the news conference in the gallery**
