U.S. Supreme Court Hears Anti-Terrorism Act Case Against Twitter: Implications for Civil Society Could Be Significant
By Katherine Tomaszewski Background & ATA Overview On Feb. 22, 2023, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) heard oral arguments on Twitter v. Taamneh. The case will determine whether Twitter can be held secondarily liable under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) for a shooting attack at the Reina nightclub in Istanbul for which the self-styled Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility. The Court’s decision could have wide-reaching implications for non-government
Study Finds Insufficient Justification for PVS Rollout
There is insufficient justification for a global rollout of the U.S. government's Partner Vetting System (PVS), according to a December 2016 Policy Paper from InterAction, Partner Vetting Independent Assessment: Insufficient Justification for a Global Rollout. Partner vetting is an additional due diligence procedure used by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Department of State to ensure that foreign assistance does not inadvertently benefit terrorists or their supporters. The
USAID’s Partner Vetting System
Click here for a printable PDF version of this Issue Brief. The Partner Vetting System (PVS) is a pilot program created to vet individuals in nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and for-profit entities that apply for United States Agency for International Development (USAID) contracts and grants, to ensure that USAID-funded activities are not inadvertently providing support to entities associated with terrorism. Under the PVS pilot program, the U.S. government requires many grant applicants
Partner Vetting System: Summary and Analysis
The Partner Vetting System (PVS) is a pilot program created to vet individuals in nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and for-profit entities who apply for United States Agency for International Development (USAID) contracts and grants, to ensure that USAID-funded activities are not inadvertently providing support to entities associated with terrorism. Under the PVS pilot program, the U.S. government requires many grant applicants to submit detailed personal information on key employees and
New Budget Language Intended to Rein In Partner Vetting System
Report language in the Omnibus budget bill is intended to rein in the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Partner Vetting System (PVS). With the insertion of this paragraph, once the PVS pilot program is completed, USAID and the U.S. Department of State may not implement similar programs unless required to respond to existing security threats. In addition, Congress would have to be consulted before the agencies begin new
USAID Issues Final Partner Vetting System Rule
A long-awaited final Partner Vetting System (PVS) final rule was issued by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) June 26 (Partner Vetting in USAID Assistance, 80 Fed. Reg. 36693). The rule, which establishes a pilot project in five countries, requires many grant applicants to submit detailed personal information on key employees to USAID for comparison with intelligence databases. It is dismissive of concerns raised by nonprofit organizations (NGOs)
Partner Vetting System (PVS) Overview
Organizations that apply for certain USAID contracts and grants in five countries are required to provide personal information on staff and subcontractors for the purpose of vetting by the U.S. government, which involves running the information through intelligence databases. In Decemver 2016 InterAction published a study finding there is insufficient justification for a global rollout of the Partner Vetting System (PVS). See Partner Vetting Independent Assessment: Insufficient Justification for a Global Rollout.
Nonprofits Tell USAID: PVS Will Violate Privacy, Independence and Neutrality
In comments filed on Sept. 30, several nonprofit organizations urge the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to re-think its proposed pilot program requiring nonprofits that apply for grants to collect data on their board members and key staff. USAID would use the program, known as the Partner Vetting System (PVS), to check the personal information collected against intelligence databases. Commenters sharing CSN's concerns about the program, including InterAction, Oxfam America,
USAID Partner Vetting Criticized: Nonprofits Fear Violation of Privacy, Independence and Neutrality
Several nonprofit organizations submitted comments on Sep. 30, 2013 urging the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to re-think its proposed pilot program requiring nonprofits that apply for grants to collect data on their board members and key staff. USAID would use the program, known as the Partner Vetting System (PVS), to check the biographical information collected against intelligence databases. The commenters argue that this would have a
Aid Workers, Nonprofits Tell State Dept. Why PVS is Wrong Approach
Aid workers have always faced risk working in global hot spots, but in comments filed with the State Department on Feb. 17, 2012, American aid workers and nonprofits explain why the proposed Partner Vetting System (PVS) would increase these dangers and hurt humanitarian efforts around the world. If implemented, PVS would turn USAID grantees into investigators for U.S. intelligence agencies, violating NGOs' neutrality and endangering their workers. In September
Aid Worker Survived Suicide Bomber Attack, Warns Against PVS
On Oct. 5, 2009, a suicide bomber struck the headquarters of the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) in Islamabad, Pakistan, killing five people and injuring five others. One of the survivors, Adam Motiwala, an American aid worker helping coordinate humanitarian aid to millions of displaced Pakistanis in the northwest part of the country, suffered injuries to his head, leg and stomach. Aid workers have always faced risk while working
NGOs Explain How USAID’s Partner Vetting System Hurts Humanitarian Action & Is Contrary to U.S. Interests
Below are excerpts from comments written by a diverse range of nonprofits and experts in response to two Federal Register announcements inviting comment on the burdens USAID’s Partner Vetting System (PVS) would impose on its grant applicants; one from the Department of State (Oct. 2011) and USAID (Dec. 2011). PVS would require NGOs receiving USAID funds to collect personal information on local partners for submission to the U.S. government. If implemented, the proposed PVS pilot would create
Comments of Nonprofit Organizations on Proposed Partner Vetting in USAID Acquisitions
Comments of Nonprofit Organizations on Proposed Partner Vetting in USAID AcquisitionsUnited States Agency for International DevelopmentRIN 0412-AA63August 25, 2009The undersigned organizations submit these comments on USAID's proposal to apply its Partner Vetting System (PVS) to contractors in acquisitions. We appreciate the opportunity to comment and strongly support the goal of protecting USAID resources from being appropriated by terrorist organizations. However, we believe the PVS program, as currently conceived, is not