Events and Press

The Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) held a public forum on Thursday, July 11th on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in counterterrorism and related national security programs, and privacy and civil liberties issues associated with these uses of AI.   

The Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) will hold a public forum on Thursday, July 11th on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in counterterrorism and related national security programs, and privacy and civil liberties issues associated with these uses of AI. The forum, which will help the Board scope and define its oversight of AI-related issues, will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET. No registration is required to view this event, which will be livestreamed at www.pclob.gov. 

We congratulate Tyler McGaughey on his nomination. His knowledge and expertise would be a valued addition to the Board's work in ensuring that America's counterterrorism efforts are effectively balanced against the need to safeguard privacy and civil liberties. We wish him all the best in the confirmation process.

The Board will be conducting a virtual public forum on July 11th, 2024 on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in counterterrorism and related national security programs. The Board seeks public comments in advance of the forum to help inform the discussion and future deliberations. Additional details can be found here: 

1. Federal Register : Notice of a PCLOB Public Forum Examining the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Counterterrorism and Request for Public Comment

2.Comments Received In Response to Federal Register Notice

3. Separate Comment Submitted by the Center for AI and Digital Policy

The Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) has received approval to release an unclassified version of its December 2020 classified report on the National Security Agency’s (NSA’s) use of XKEYSCORE, an intelligence analysis tool. The agency’s Report on Certain NSA Uses of XKEYSCORE for Counterterrorism Purposes includes separate statements from each Board Member at the time the report was drafted, and the report release also includes additional related documents from the Board’s investigation. At the time the PCLOB’s oversight review was completed, the Board Members were: current Board Members Edward W. Felten and Travis LeBlanc as well as former Board Members Adam Klein (Chair), Jane Nitze, and Aditya Bamzai.

Members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) participated in two podcasts discussing the Board's 2023 report on Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Section 702 authorizes the government to target non-U.S. persons located outside the United States in order to collect foreign intelligence information.

1) Cyberlaw Podcast's Stewart Baker chatted with Board Members Leblanc and Williams.

2) Lawfare Podcast's Stephanie Pell chatted with Chair Franklin and Members LeBlanc, Williams, and DiZinno. Part one of the podcast can be found here. Part two can be found here. 

Members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB)  delivered remarks on Thursday, September 28th, 2023 regarding the release of the Board’s 2023 Report on the Surveillance Program Operated Pursuant to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“2023 PCLOB Report”).

The Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) on Thursday released its 2023 Report on the Surveillance Program Operated Pursuant to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“2023 PCLOB Report”). Section 702 authorizes the government to target non-U.S. persons located outside the United States in order to collect foreign intelligence information. Section 702 is set to expire at the end of 2023 unless Congress reauthorizes the law.

Public Comments memo on the Board's Oversight Project Examining Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

Chair Franklin and Member Williams testified on FISA Section 702 before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance on Thursday, April 27th.