and human rights. Tech Companies proposal of December 9, 2013 On December 9, 2013, eight tech giants issued an open letter and took out full-page advertisements to publish it. It read in part: Dear Mr. President and Members of Congress,We understand that governments have a duty to protect their citizens. But this summer’s revelations highlighted the urgent need to reform government surveillance practices worldwide. The balance in many countries has tipped too far in favor of the state and away from the rights of the individual — rights that are enshrined in our Constitution. This undermines the freedoms we all cherish. It’s time for a change. Google, Microsoft, Apple, Yahoo!, Facebook, Twitter, AOL and LinkedIn participated in the open letter and the associated website. ReformGovernmentSurveillance.com. See also Targeted surveillance References Mass surveillance Reform movements Reform in the United States Articles containing video clips Lists of proposals