Colorado Sen. Mark Udall revealed his knowledge of the CIA internal evaluation of its detention and interrogation program last December, igniting tensions between the Senate Intelligence Committee and the CIA. Udall’s disclosure has emphasized the need for intelligence agencies to strike a balance between preserving national security and heeding individual liberties.

The program, which was created following the Sept. 11 attacks, has been heavily criticized by the Committee, which oversees the CIA. Although President Barack Obama terminated the detention and interrogation program in 2009, the committee requested access to all documents pertaining to the program to evaluate its success in combating terrorism. Rather than agreeing to this request, the CIA made millions of documents accessible to the Committee in a CIA building, where the Committee reviewed them on a separate network from the one used by the CIA.

While the Committee reviewed these documents, the CIA simultaneously conducted its own review of the program, which the Committee obtained without authorization. Udall’s disclosure confirmed suspicions of a security breach. Subsequently, the CIA searched the Committee’s computers for information that would indicate how it obtained the CIA internal report. This action enraged Committee members, who claimed the search was unconstitutional.

The situation is untimely for Obama, who recently vowed to reform the National Security Agency’s practices in light of the Edward Snowden leaks. The CIA debacle again calls his view on the role of government intelligence agencies into question. Since Snowden’s leaks indicated the power that intelligence organizations possess, U.S. citizens should expect the possibility of their actions being monitored at any time.

Although Obama openly discussed the failure of previous NSA practices with a focus on the mass collection of metadata, anything but immediate change is insufficient in addressing concerns that intelligence policies violate constitutional freedoms. Obama must directly address spying agencies’ objectionable practices with legislation that strictly limits their abilities.

When The Guardian leaked information regarding NSA surveillance practices, Obama claimed that he lacked knowledge of the scope of the agency’s actions. While the president cannot know every detail of every federal agency, understanding the NSA policies seems vital to the country’s protection. By working more closely with intelligence agencies, Obama can have a larger impact on their policies while also improving his public image.

Intelligence capabilities, enabled by the prevalence of technology, allow governments to protect their citizens. However, these capabilities cannot be unrestrained. Obama and the national intelligence agencies should not upset the balance between collective security and personal freedom.

A version of this article appeared in the Wednesday, March 12 print edition. Dan Moritz-Rabson is a contributing columnist. Email him at [email protected].