"The security of users' data is critical, which is why we've invested so much in encryption and fight for transparency around government requests for information," said Google CEO Larry Page.

 "Unchecked, undisclosed government surveillance inhibits the free flow of information and restricts their voice. The principles we advance today would reform the current system to appropriately balance the needs of security and privacy while safeguarding the essential human right of free expression," said Twitter CEO Dick Costolo.

 "This is undermined by the apparent wholesale collection of data, in secret and without independent oversight, by many governments around the world. It's time for reform and we urge the US government to lead the way," he said.

 "Reports about government surveillance have shown there is a real need for greater disclosure and new limits on how governments collect information. The US government should take this opportunity to lead this reform effort and make things right," said Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

 These companies said they believe that it is time for the world?s governments to address the practices and laws regulating government surveillance of individuals and access to their information.

 "While the companies understand that governments need to take action to protect their citizens' safety and security, we strongly believe that current laws and practices need to be reformed," they said.

 "Consistent with established global norms of free expression and privacy and with the goals of ensuring that government law enforcement and intelligence efforts are rule-bound, narrowly tailored, transparent, and subject to oversight, we hereby call on governments to endorse the following principles and enact reforms that would put these principles into action," they said.

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