US tech firms could lose more trade revenue to foreign rivals if the National Security Agency’s (NSA) snooping is not controlled, a report has stated.
Calling for ban on the NSA collection of massive user data, the Open Technology Institute report has called for firms to be allowed to report more details concerning the information being offered to the government.
Referring to top executives of Microsoft, Cisco Systems and other firms, the report noted that NSA snooping may damage the $150bn industry for cloud computing services, as well cost American tech firms about $35bn in lost revenue by 2016, Bloomberg reported.
BSA/The Software Alliance policy director said: "The immediate pain point is lost sales and business challenges."
Microsoft also urged that their customers care more than ever about where their content is stored and how it is used and secured.
Furthermore, the USA FREEDOM Act has now been introduced to the upper chamber of Congress, which is expected to fulfil some proposals by the institute.
Senate Judiciary Committee chair, Patrick Leahy, said in a statement: "If enacted, this bill would represent the most significant reform of government surveillance authorities since Congress passed the USA Patriot Act 13 years ago."
Expressing support for the bill, the Software Alliance said in a statement: "[The Senate] bill will help restore trust in the Internet by ending the government’s bulk Internet metadata collection and increasing transparency around US surveillance practices."
