On March 2, 2022, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met in executive session by video conference. PIDB Chair Ezra Cohen led the virtual meeting, which was attended by PIDB Members Carter Burwell, Paul-Noel Chretien, Laura DeBonis, Trey Gowdy, Michael Lawrence, Ben Powell, Alissa Starzak, and John Tierney. The members planned for a virtual public … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda for Executive Session Teleconference Held on March 2, 2022
PIDB Posts Agenda for Executive Session Teleconference Held on February 24, 2022
On February 24, 2022, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met in executive session by video teleconference. PIDB Chair Ezra Cohen led the virtual meeting, which was attended by PIDB Members Carter Burwell, Paul-Noel Chretien, Michael Lawrence, Ben Powell, and John Tierney. The PIDB welcomed the newest member, Carter Burwell, whose appointment to the PIDB … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda for Executive Session Teleconference Held on February 24, 2022
Senate Leaders Appoint Members to the PIDB
Senate Majority Leader Charles P. Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell each announced their intention to appoint members to the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) in the Congressional Record. Senator McConnell announced his intention to appoint Carter Burwell on January 13, 2022, and Senator Schumer announced his intention to appoint Alissa M. Starzak on … Continue reading Senate Leaders Appoint Members to the PIDB
PIDB Posts Agenda for Executive Session Teleconference Held on February 1, 2022
On February 1, 2022, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met in executive session by video teleconference. PIDB Chair Ezra Cohen led the virtual meeting, which was attended by PIDB Members Paul-Noel Chretien, Laura DeBonis, Trey Gowdy, Michael Lawrence, Ben Powell, Alissa Starzak, and John Tierney. The members discussed their feasibility study of declassifying records … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda for Executive Session Teleconference Held on February 1, 2022
The PIDB Responds to the Director of National Intelligence’s Concerns about Over-Classification and the Need to Modernize the U.S. Classification and Declassification System
Last week, the Wall Street Journal and several other news outlets published stories on the Director of National Intelligence’s concerns about over-classification. The members of the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) agree with Director Avril Haines’s remarks about the national security harm caused by over-classification and the need to modernize the classification and declassification system. … Continue reading The PIDB Responds to the Director of National Intelligence’s Concerns about Over-Classification and the Need to Modernize the U.S. Classification and Declassification System
New DOD Position Realigns AI and Data Management — Can Support Improved Classification and Declassification
The Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) has noted that the executive branch has been developing and implementing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies for a variety of use cases at an accelerated rate. However, federal agencies too often develop these innovations without internal or interagency coordination. Recommendations of the PIDB have long emphasized … Continue reading New DOD Position Realigns AI and Data Management — Can Support Improved Classification and Declassification
PIDB Submits Letter to Congress
On January 10, 2022, Ezra Cohen, Chair of the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) submitted letters on behalf of the Board to Congress, outlining its work in 2021. Recipients of the PIDB’s letter included: The four Congressional Leaders andThe Chair and Ranking Member of the following committees:Senate Select Committee on IntelligenceHouse Permanent Select Committee on … Continue reading PIDB Submits Letter to Congress
PIDB Posts Agenda for Executive Session Teleconference Held on January 11, 2022
On January 11, 2022, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met in executive session by video teleconference. PIDB Chair Ezra Cohen led the virtual meeting, which was attended by PIDB members Paul-Noel Chretien, Laura DeBonis, Trey Gowdy, Michael Lawrence, Ben Powell, Alissa Starzak, and John Tierney. The members discussed the requirement in section 1685 of … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda for Executive Session Teleconference Held on January 11, 2022
FY2022 NDAA Mandates Feasibility Study of Declassification Review for Marshall Islands Weapons Tests
President Joseph Biden signed the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law on December 27, 2021. Section 1685 of the NDAA includes a requirement that the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) conduct “a study on the feasibility of carrying out a declassification review relating to nuclear weapons, chemical weapons, or ballistic missile … Continue reading FY2022 NDAA Mandates Feasibility Study of Declassification Review for Marshall Islands Weapons Tests
PIDB Posts Agenda from Executive Session Teleconference Held on December 20, 2021
On December 20, 2021, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met in executive session by video teleconference. PIDB Chair Ezra Cohen led the virtual meeting, which was attended by PIDB members Paul-Noel Chretien, Laura DeBonis, Trey Gowdy, Michael Lawrence, Ben Powell, Alissa Starzak, and John Tierney. The PIDB members met with representatives from civil society … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda from Executive Session Teleconference Held on December 20, 2021