USA FREEDOM Act Passes Senate Unamended

Critical Surveillance Reform Legislation Heads to President Obama for Final Passage

Today, the Senate took a critical step forward in the fight to restore trust online, passing the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015 with a vote of 67-32. Overcoming stark opposition and a series of amendments designed to weaken the legislation, the USA FREEDOM Act passed unamended. The bill ensures an end to the egregious domestic bulk data collection by the NSA and builds significant transparency into the process of ongoing domestic data gathering. Moreover, strong Congressional opposition to unnecessary corporate data retention will save private companies from notification and certification requirements that would have severely harmed America’s Internet-based businesses.

“Having already gained support from President Obama, this bill will quickly become law, making it the most significant surveillance reform passed the FISA Amendments of 2008,” said i2Coalition Co-Founder and Board Chair, Christian Dawson. “While we are celebrating this win, we understand that our work is not done. The USA FREEDOM Act is a necessary and crucial first step to remedying U.S. surveillance practices and restoring consumer faith in businesses for the benefit of U.S. economic growth. We have won the battle, not the war. i2Coalition members look forward to working with decision-makers and other stakeholders to further reform the system while protecting the interests of private businesses.”