Dropbox stands by Condoleezza Rice board decision amid mass surveillance fears

Dropbox CEO Drew Houston today addressed public outcry against the addition of former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Dropbox’s board.

Central to this controversy is Rice’s public support of warrantless wiretaps. Amid widespread concerns of government mass surveillance, it’s not surprising to see people protest the appointment.

In response to protests like “Drop Dropbox,” Houston states that he is honored to have Rice on his board and claims her appointment will not affect the company’s stance on privacy and mass surveillance.

Here’s his statement, in full:

“There’s nothing more important to us than keeping your stuff safe and secure. It’s why we’ve been fighting for transparency and government surveillance reform, and why we’ve been vocal and public with our principles and values.

We should have been clearer that none of this is going to change with Dr. Rice’s appointment to our Board. Our commitment to your rights and your privacy is at the heart of every decision we make, and this will continue.

We’re honored to have Dr. Rice join our board — she brings an incredible amount of experience and insight into international markets and the dynamics that define them. As we continue to expand into new countries, we need that type of insight to help us reach new users and defend their rights. Dr. Rice understands our stance on these issues and fully supports our commitments to our users.”

While Houston’s post technically addresses users’ concerns, it sidesteps many of the specific complaints voiced by vocal users. As a result, this may not be the last time we hear about the issue.