RGS responds to DOJ IG Report on DOJ Secrecy Orders targeting Congress

WASHINGTON - The Inspector General (IG) of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released its long-awaited report concerning the use of non-disclosure orders (NDOs) to prevent communications service providers from notifying users, including Members of Congress, their staff, and members of the media, that the government was seeking their data. The IG found the DOJ failed to inform judges of critical details in NDO applications and ‘continues to make boilerplate statements in NDO applications.’ The report illustrates why it is crucial for the U.S. Senate to pass the NDO Fairness Act this year. The bill provides for stronger judicial review of NDOs, and has twice unanimously passed the House of Representatives. RGS urges the Senate to pass the NDO Fairness Act and for the President to sign it into law.