[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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