As President Obama puts the final touches on what is being billed as his “overhaul of the NSA,” sources close to the administration have told The Hill that his number one goal is to stop any future whistleblowers like Edward Snowden.
Despite the strong public outcry over the extreme overreach of the NSA’s suveillance powers—made public by former defense contractor and NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden—the president is expected to do very little in regards to any “substantial overhaul to the NSA,” outside of increasing scrutiny of those given access to information about the agency’s controversial dragnet programs.
The Hill, which reported on the reform package—set to be announced during a speech at the Department of Justice on Friday—says Obama is “embracing” plans put forth by a White House-appointed advisory panel, which recommends enhanced vetting of security clearances for NSA analysts and employees.
Critics have slammed the panel’s recommendations as insufficient despite some indications that it had gone further than most expected, including the White House.
Citing “sources familiar with the administration’s plans,” The Hill reports that the Obama administration will adopt recommendations designed to “guard against future Snowdens,” explaining:
Additionally:
Instead, Friday’s speech is expected to focus primarily on “privacy protections” and “increases to transparency,” sources report.
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