Cloudfare is a content delivery network. CREDO is a cellphone company. But what do these two have in common, other then 21st century technology? They also quite a relationship with the FBI. In fact, Cloudfare and CREDO are still gagged by the FBI.
Well, the gag is partial. Last week, Cloudfare admitted the FBI demanded customer data from them. Why do we know this? Because the FBI lifted a gag order…somewhat. You see, there are some things Cloudfare can’t talk about because part of the gag order still remains. Furthermore, CREDO challenges national security letters. Let me explain. Over the years, they believe the FBI sent 60 national security letters a day. These letters told the companies to share customer data without the customers’ knowledge.
But Cloudfare and CREDO are fighting back in court. Cloudfare’s Kenneth Carter said they were in a lawsuit. This lawsuit is a fight to determine if NSL’s (national security letters) are unconstitutional. But Cloudfare has an ally. That ally is CREDO. Cloudfare and CREDO argue these letters let the FBI stop Americans from using free speech. They also believe they have a good case, too. Company reps say the gag order alone are great examples of why they should ban NSL’s.
But Cloudfare and CREDO aren’t the only ones tech companies fighting government surveillance. For several years now, people in IT support, and computer repair, and managed IT services, and many others in the tech industry spoke out. Plus, we’re just five days from changing US Presidents. So far, the President-Elect hasn’t been exactly sympathetic when it comes to tech privacy. Maybe that will change. I hope so. I can only hope the meeting with Silicon Valley leaders went well, and they brought up this very subject. But as time goes on, I think voices like Cloudfare and CREDO will only get louder and louder. We can only hope, right? Do you think Cloudfare and CREDO will win this fight?