The Obama administration on Tuesday set new limits on how the National Security Agency and other parts of the intelligence community collect personal data.
The new rules, which came in the form of a report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, include a requirement that agencies must delete data on foreigners after five years if it isn't relevant to any investigation. Similarly, data on American citizens must be deleted if it "lack[s] foreign intelligence value."
Among other new policies, the report also says agencies must focus on "new training, oversight, and compliance requirements" for handling personal data, including "mandatory training programs to ensure that intelligence officers know and understand their responsibility to protect the personal information of all people." Privacy advocates have characterized the changes as modest. The new policies come about one year after President Obama called for an overhaul of the NSA, and one month after he addressed the Justice Department about his proposed surveillance reforms.
IN-DEPTH
- What Now? Questions Linger Following Obama's NSA Speech
- Obama: NSA Overhaul Would Prevent Abuse, Help Win Back Trust
- NSA Officials: Snowden Emailed With Question, Not Concern
