Sign up for 5280's weekly e-newsletters. Want the latest restaurant scoop? The latest happenings around town? Access to exclusive events and deals just for 5280 readers? Who would have thought Qwest is in the forefront of supporting our civil liberties? USA Today reports that the National Security Agency has been monitoring the phone records of tens of millions of Americans since 9/11 through contracts with the nation’s three largest providers: AT&T, Verizon and Bell South.
The National Security Agency has been secretly collecting the phone call records of tens of millions of Americans, using data provided by AT&T, Verizon and BellSouth, people with direct knowledge of the arrangement told USA TODAY.
The NSA program reaches into homes and businesses across the nation by amassing information about the calls of ordinary Americans — most of whom aren’t suspected of any crime. This program does not involve the NSA listening to or recording conversations. But the spy agency is using the data to analyze calling patterns in an effort to detect terrorist activity, sources said in separate interviews.
As to what the NSA is doing with your records, USA Today says no one knows for sure, but probably, they end up at the Pentagon.
The NSA tried to get Qwest to agree to providing records of calls made by its business and individual customers. The company balked at the legality of the proposal and declined:
Qwest’s refusal to participate has left the NSA with a hole in its database. Based in Denver, Qwest provides local phone service to 14 million customers in 14 states in the West and Northwest. But AT&T and Verizon also provide some services — primarily long-distance and wireless — to people who live in Qwest’s region. Therefore, they can provide the NSA with at least some access in that area.
So three cheers for Qwest today. I’m almost thinking of moving my cell phone to the company in appreciation of its commitment to my privacy.
Posted 5/11/2006 at 6:09 am by Jeralyn Merritt
Business, Politics :: Permalink :: Comments (5)
Did Gonzales Mislead Congress on NSA Surveillance Program?
TPMmuckraker writes: Reps. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) have put out a statement questioning the legality of the program. Their statement contains this: “when the Attorney General was forced to testify before the House Judici…
What three cheers for Qwest? Is the privacy more important or the lives of individuals. Why not to praise USA, atleast they are taking some measures for the security against terrorism.
heck yes privacy is more important than saftey. There is no warrant for this search of our private lives. The fourth amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees that we have a right to personal privacy. To me having the NSA listening to a conversation between me and a freind would be like having an agent standing, uninvited, in my living room or office while I chat with a freind. As a wise man once said “Those that would sacrifice essential liberty for temporary saftey; deserve neither” -Ben Franklin
Well done Qwest! Customer satisfaction should be the first priority of any organisation. How could anyone just flood into the private lives of individuals?
I m proud of you Qwest.
I dont agree to anyone above. I think privacy is as important as human life. Both Qwest and NSA are doing great jobs. The former in favour of privacy and the latter in favour of security and so both the objectives are achieved.