Intelligence agencies are required by law to protect the freedoms, civil liberties, and privacy rights of Americans while accomplishing important national security missions. The National Security Agency (NSA), as a member of the nation's Intelligence Community, is also held accountable for upholding the laws of the land while providing critical foreign intelligence information to keep America and its allies safe and secure.
As part of NSA's leadership team, the Director of the Civil Liberties and Privacy Office (CLPO) works every day to improve public trust and confidence by leading the integration of civil liberties and privacy protections throughout NSA and strengthening its initiatives to be more transparent with the public.
The CLPO strives to build public trust in NSA's ability to uphold civil liberties and privacy values while also protecting America and its allies. In addition to advising NSA leaders on civil liberties and privacy issues, the CLPO builds systematic and holistic civil liberties and privacy processes that are integrated into NSA activities. In support of the ODNI's Principles of Intelligence Transparency for the Intelligence Community, the CLPO communicates with the public, overseers, and stakeholders to make information publicly available in a way that enhances understanding of NSA's civil liberties and privacy protections.
The American people expect and deserve to hear what NSA is doing to protect civil liberties and privacy. That's why the Director of the Civil Liberties and Privacy Office regularly works with elected officials and staff in Congress, the Executive Branch (including the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board) and other federal agencies, and NSA leaders to do a better job explaining how NSA currently protects civil liberties and privacy and to recommend improvements. Equally important are discussions with experts in civil liberties and privacy groups, and with the public, to better understand their concerns and to bring best privacy practices from government and industry to NSA, adapting them to meet unique mission needs.