White House Privacy Board Issues Statement

Nearly a month ago the long-delayed White House's privacy and civil liberties board held its first public meeting, where a number of experts and one panel member pointed out that the board's mission to act as a public watchdog over antiterrorism programs conflicted with its relationship to the
White House. That complication, along with the board's refusal to take questions from the media -- a condition only announced once registered reporters showed up, was at the heart of most media coverage of the event (Wired News, National Journal, News.com, NPR).

Today, the White House Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board issued an odd statement (.pdf) about its meeting, mostly summarizing what happened, but also perhaps trying to respond to the criticism about preventing press questions by italicizing the word "expert".

[T]his three hour meeting served as an expert's forum in which the Board heard directly from non-governmental individuals and organizations with an interest and expertise in privacy and civil liberties issues arising in the context of the government’s actions to protect the nation from terrorism.(italics in original)[...]

The Board found the panel presentations and discussions to be illuminating and provocative. The discussions were constructive and respectful, and while the issues and concerns raised were not altogether unexpected, the Board members believe it was important to hear of them directly from the panel participants.[...]

[T]he meeting at Georgetown was the beginning of an on-going dialog between the Board and the American people. It intends to hold further public meetings, and will explore different venues and formats to see what best serves the Board's needs and the interests of the public.

The board's statement did not include any information on how many Americans have been subject to warrantless surveillance by the Administration, though according to their own admission, they know these numbers.

Photo: Egan Snow