Publication: Towards Multilateral Standards for Surveillance Reform

Transatlantic surveillance standards need to be reformed to comply with human rights, argue researchers in a paper published by Oxford Internet Institute. The authors include Mathias Vermeulen, researcher at the CIHR and the European University Institute, Ian Brown from Oxford University, Ben Hayes from Statewatch, Mort Halperin, formerly with US National Security Council, and Ben Scott, former advisor to Hillary Clinton.

Abstract:
Edward Snowden’s revelations about the mass surveillance capabilities of the United States’ National Security Agency and its partners have created a unique opportunity to work towards the adoption of multilateral human rights-compliant standards for government surveillance conducted against nationals of other countries.

This paper attempts to map a path toward new international standards for foreign intelligence collection, in order to achieve increased transparency, control and oversight of national surveillance practices. We provide a basic comparison of the legal frameworks governing foreign surveillance law in the US and selected EU Member States, and set out the applicable international human rights law and major reform initiatives in as far as they relate to foreign surveillance and its oversight.

We attempt to identify key issues relevant to all signals intelligence reform efforts and to provide an analytical framework to guide the development of new standards and realistic options for reform.

You can download the study here.