The issue focused on the lack of transparency around the use of surveillance software, and how it could affect users. The report found that many companies fail to disclose how their software is used and how its privacy protections are enforced. The privacy group has said that the NSA has access to software it has created to gather data on phone users and online services and that it uses it for surveillance.

The report's authors said the NSA has used its surveillance tools for more than two years to monitor online communications, email and online