Google Inc. is trying to build public support for surveillance reform next year, saying on a new webpage that "2015 will be our moment."
The page, a part of Google's "Take Action" hub, went live on Wednesday, according to The Hill. Google, however, published the page without fanfare and, as of Thursday afternoon, hasn't appeared to link to it from the main "Take Action" website, which the company uses to rally support for a "free and open web."
A Google representative didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
The new page encourages visitors to "Join Take Action" by giving Google their contact information. A sign-up form borders a picture of a calendar with June 1, 2015, circled and the sentence: "I demand real surveillance reform in 2015."
That day is the date the U.S. government's bulk telephone records collection program is set to expire. The USA Patriot Act's Section 215 authorizes the gathering of the phone information.
"In June of 2015, we have a huge chance to protect Americans from mass surveillance when a key part of the USA Patriot Act is set to expire," the Google page says. "That means we need to be ready to take action this coming year. Join Take Action and help make the Internet more secure for everyone."
Read more: http://www.corpcounsel.com/id=1202712769129/Google-Asks-Users-to-Take-Action-on-Surveillance-Reform#ixzz3MM9ZqZQM
