Call for Abbott to protect data privacy December 20, 2013 Critics of sweeping electronic surveillance programs are stepping up pressure on the federal government to introduce stricter safeguards after a US panel recommended curbs on intelligence gathering. In the wake of the revelations of bulk data gathering by the US National Security Agency, an expert panel has urged President Barack Obama to enforce stronger privacy protection. It has prompted Australian politicians and privacy advocates to call on the Abbott government to adopt similar standards.