SENATE TO HOLD CLOSED HEARING ON TELECOM SECURITY

摘要

The Senate Select Intelligence Committee quietly scheduled a closed-door April 17 hearing on telecom security legislation. Last week privacy advocates and committee staffers were working the phones seeking intelligence on witnesses, but closed-hearing witness lists aren抰 public. 揅ertainly legislation shouldn抰 be generated out of a hearing that抯 closed,?said Caroline Frederickson, ACLU Washington legislative dir. Phone companies should be willing to come forward and explain their role in the National Security Agency electronic surveillance program, she said. ACLU fears the Intelligence Committee may be considering legislation that would offer telcos protection against liability for their role in the program. If done, it should be 搃n a way that ensures that peoples?privacy will be protected,?Frederickson said.