Fergie's Tech Blog

Verizon Won't Give Government 'Unfettered' Record Access

It is unclear what Verizon's interpretation of the word 'unfettered' actually is. According to dictionary.com, 'unfettered' is described as:

To set free or keep free from restrictions or bonds.

That can legally be as vague as they need to justify giving call detail records (CDR's) to the NSA simply upon request in the "interest of national security" -- if that is indeed what happened. Until more details come out, we simply won't know.

But if it becomes known that Verizon did indeed give CDR information to the NSA simply upon request, they should be figuratively crucified in the arena of public opinion.

A Reuters newswire article, via eWeek, reports that:

Verizon Communications said Friday it does not and will not provide any government agency unfettered access to customer records.

The telecommunications company said it could not comment on a "highly classified" National Security Agency program that President George W. Bush has referred to, nor could it confirm or deny whether it has had any relationship to the program.

"Verizon does not, and will not, provide any government agency unfettered access to our customer records or provide information to the government under circumstances that would allow a fishing expedition," the company said in a statement.

More here.

posted by Fergie @ 5/13/2006 07:37:00 AM