[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 64 (Monday, April 4, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19536-19537]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07011]
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PRIVACY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES OVERSIGHT BOARD
[Notice-PCLOB-2022-01; Docket No. 2022-0009; Sequence No. 1]
Notice of Public Forum
AGENCY: Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB).
ACTION: Request for public comments and notice of public forum on
domestic terrorism.
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SUMMARY: The PCLOB or Board seeks public comments regarding, and will
hold a public forum to consider, privacy and civil liberties issues
concerning the government's efforts to counter domestic terrorism. The
PCLOB seeks public comments regarding the following topics (described
in more detail below): Implications for First Amendment-Protected
Activities;
[[Page 19537]]
Implications for Privacy and Fourth Amendment rights; Federal and
State/Local/Tribal/Territorial (SLTT) Government Cooperation in
Countering Domestic Terrorism; Use of Technology in Efforts to Combat
Domestic Terrorism; Differential Impacts on Racial and Other Minority
Groups; and any Other Privacy or Civil Liberties Implications Related
to Domestic Terrorism. Additionally, the PCLOB will hold a virtual
public forum to examine privacy and civil liberties issues regarding
the government's efforts to counter domestic terrorism. During the
forum, Board Members will hear a range of expert views.
DATES: The PCLOB plans to hold the public forum in late May or early
June 2022. The exact date will be announced on www.pclob.gov by no
later than Monday, April 25, 2022. PCLOB will consider all public
comments received by Thursday, June 30, 2022.
The comment period will remain open beyond the public forum date to
enable individuals to submit comments that reflect the presentations
and discussion during the forum. However, commenters who seek to inform
the final agenda for the Board's forthcoming virtual public forum, are
requested to please submit comments on or before Monday, April 25,
2022.
ADDRESSES: The public forum will be held virtually. Instructions for
how to attend the virtual forum will be posted to www.pclob.gov. The
Board invites written comments regarding privacy and civil liberties in
the domestic terrorism context. You may submit comments responsive to
notice PCLOB-2022-01 via http://www.regulations.gov. Please search by
Notice PCLOB-2022-01 and follow the on-line instructions for submitting
comments. Responsive comments received generally will be posted without
change to regulations.gov, including any personal and/or business
confidential information provided. To confirm receipt of your
comment(s), please check regulations.gov approximately two-to-three
business days after submission to verify posting.
Comments may be submitted any time prior to the closing of the
docket at 11:59 p.m., EDT, on Thursday, June 30, 2022.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mason Clutter, Acting Executive
Director at 202-296-4649; [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Procedures for Public Observation
The event is open to the public. Pre-registration is required.
Registration instructions will be posted to www.pclob.gov. Individuals
who plan to participate virtually and require special assistance should
contact [email protected] at least 72 hours prior to the event. The Board
welcomes comments on privacy and civil liberties issues related to any
of the following topics, including potential recommendations for policy
reforms:
Government Actions Against Domestic Terrorism: Authorities, Procedures,
Safeguards, and Impacts on First Amendment-Protected Activities
Responsive comments should examine the authorities, procedures, and
safeguards governing federal government action countering domestic
terrorism when such action could affect protected First Amendment
activity. Responsive comments may also address the effects of such
government action on First Amendment activity, and what further
safeguards, mitigations, or oversight may be needed. Examples include
social media and internet surveillance, as well as surveillance of
those exercising their rights of free expression and assembly.
Government Surveillance To Combat Domestic Terrorism: Authorities,
Procedures, Safeguards, and Impacts on Privacy and Fourth Amendment
Rights
Responsive comments should address the use of surveillance to
combat domestic terrorism, including the authorities, procedures and
safeguards that currently govern such surveillance, and the
applicability of the Fourth Amendment and other legal protections for
privacy. Responsive comments may also address what further safeguards,
mitigations, or oversight may be needed to protect privacy.
Federal and State/Local/Tribal/Territorial (SLTT) Government
Cooperation in Countering Domestic Terrorism
Responsive comments should examine the intersection of domestic
terrorism activities and privacy and civil liberties implications at
the Federal and the SLTT level, both directly (e.g., JTTFs, Fusion
Centers) and indirectly (e.g., federal funds used to purchase SLTT
surveillance capabilities; SLTT use of federal resources, etc.),
including the following questions:
What are the potential privacy and civil liberties issues
raised by this cooperation?
What safeguards, mitigations, or oversight may be needed
to protect against potentially harmful effects?
Use of Technology in Efforts To Combat Domestic Terrorism
Responsive comments should examine the use of technology in
investigating and countering domestic terrorism, including the
following questions:
How is the government using technology to counter domestic
terrorism?
Are the technologies and policies used to counter
international terrorism being applied to domestic terrorism, either by
the government or by private firms; and if so, what are the potential
privacy and civil liberties implications for the American public?
In what ways do private technology firms work with the
government to counter domestic terrorism and does this raise further
privacy and civil liberties issues?
What challenges and opportunities, for countering domestic
terrorism and for protecting privacy and civil liberties in
counterterrorism programs, are created by current and likely future
technology changes?
What safeguards, mitigations, or oversight may be needed
to protect against potentially harmful effects?
Differential Impacts on Racial and Other Minority Groups
Per Executive Order 13985 and PCLOB's efforts to enhance equity,
the PCLOB seeks comments on potential differential impacts of
countering domestic terrorism programs and policies on particular
racial groups, historically underserved communities, religious groups,
politically disfavored groups, and other individuals. Responsive
comments should examine:
To what extent do government efforts to combat domestic
terrorism have differential impacts on particular racial groups,
historically underserved communities, religious groups, politically
disfavored groups, and other individuals?
What safeguards, mitigations, or oversight may be needed
to protect against potentially harmful effects?
Any Other Privacy or Civil Liberties Implications Related to Domestic
Terrorism
The Board welcomes comments on any other privacy or civil liberties
concerns related to domestic terrorism not listed above.
David Coscia,
Agency Liaison Officer, Office of Presidential & Congressional Agency
Liaison Services, General Services Administration.
[FR Doc. 2022-07011 Filed 4-1-22; 8:45 am]
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