; and (2) the authority to collect intelligence under such section 702 is meant to shield the United States, and by extension, the allies of the United States, from security threats. II Safeguards and oversight of privacy and civil liberties 201. Limitation on retention of certain data Subsection (m) of section 702 ( 50 U.S.C. 1881a ), as redesignated by section 101, is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (3) and (4); and (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph (2): (2) Affidavit on deletion included in semiannual assessment to FISC and Congress Each semiannual assessment under paragraph (1) shall include, with respect to the 6-month period covered by the assessment, an affidavit by the Director of the National Security Agency, without delegation, that communications acquired under subsection (a) determined not to contain foreign intelligence information, if any, were deleted. . 202. Improvements to Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (a) Appointment of staff Subsection (j) of section 1061 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 ( 42 U.S.C. 2000ee(j) ) is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph: (2) Appointment in absence of chairman If the position of chairman of the Board is vacant, during the period of the vacancy, the Board, at the direction of the unanimous vote of the serving members of the Board, may exercise the authority of the chairman under paragraph (1). . (b) Meetings Subsection (f) of such section ( 42 U.S.C. 2000ee(f) ) is amended— (1) by striking The Board shall and inserting The Board ; (2) in paragraph (1) by striking make its and inserting shall make its ; and (3) in paragraph (2)— (A) by striking hold public and inserting shall hold public