Governments Need Global Standards of Conduct for Surveillance

Privacy and human rights advocates, technology companies, and trade associations have today called on U.S. political leaders to reform the country’s surveillance laws. We add our voice to those calls. These reforms will help show the world that the U.S. Government is ready to lead the dialogue on global standards of conduct, and wants to further build international trust with citizens – a cornerstone for our industry.

We also see a need for governments to agree on transparent standards of conduct. Building a system with appropriate safeguards and limits will serve both national security objectives and the needs of global commerce. In May 2014, Cisco offered a series of recommendations that support customer confidence in the global internet economy, while respecting the role that governments need to play in ensuring the physical safety and the economic security of their citizens. Governments and industry players need to deliver these outcomes for our future. Cisco is ready to play our part and we believe our peers and colleagues in industry and government are as well.