Digital Smarts - More Tech Firms Fighting Government Surveillance of Personal Data
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The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has reported that many large tech companies, including Cisco Systems, Google, Microsoft, Apple and Adobe, have increased data protections and continue to push back against government requests for user information. The EFF says nearly a quarter of tech firms have publicly refused to build "back-door" capabilities for government surveillance that allow the collection of data without prior notice or formal warrant. In order to combat crime, the FBI, for example, wants the ability to access every American's cell phone to see pictures, messages and phone calls. Those in opposition argue that providing a way for the government to access data can allow hackers to access the data as well, and that any terrorists trying to avoid the FBI can easily download software tools that would hide their communications.