AT&T Says It Doesn't Have to Disclose NSA Dealings

[Indi Guy]

Source: AP via ABC News

AT&T says it isn't required to disclose to shareholders what it does with customers' communications data despite complaints that the telecom giant has been sharing and selling that information to federal intelligence agencies including the National Security Agency.

In a letter sent Thursday to the Securities and Exchange Commission, AT&T said it protects customer information and complies with government requests for records "only to the extent required by law."

AT&T's letter was a response to a Nov. 20 shareholder revolt sparked by the New York State Common Retirement Fund, the ACLU of Northern California and others. The groups are demanding that AT&T and Verizon be more transparent about their dealings with the NSA.

Nicole Ozer of the ACLU says "it's outrageous that AT&T is trying to block the shareholder proposal."

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/att-disclose-nsa-dealings-21125866

[sakabatou]

1. Hit them with a FOIA?

[randome]

2. A private company doesn't need to do anything except file reports with the government.

I think it's a bad PR decision by AT&T but they aren't required to do a thing. They could still give statistics without 'naming names' or anything like that.
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[aggiesal]

5. FOIA only applies to government entities . . .

not private companies, corporations or individuals.

[sakabatou]

8. Damn

[Demeter]

3. They don't have to stay in business, either

I've been a customer for ever. That can change with one last phone call.

[aggiesal]

6. I switched to Vonage . . .

specifically to get away from right-wing AT&T.
I now only pay $9.99/month.

If you have a broadband connection, you might consider Vonage or
something similar as well.

I highly recommend getting out from underneath AT&T.

[Thinkingabout]

10. Do you seriously think your information is not recorded especially if you call an AT&T or Verizon

Customer? Do you know for sure Vonage does not furnish the same information to the NSA?

[aggiesal]

11. Who said anything about NSA?

Last edited Sat Dec 7, 2013, 12:56 AM - Edit history (1)

I referred to AT&T because they give a ton of money to
RW candidates.

[Thinkingabout]

14. Perhaps you did not follow this thread, NSA is in the subject line.

[aggiesal]

16. After your original reply . . .

I re-read the article and I completely understand why you wrote your statement.

I have no illusions that Vonage would not share my info with the NSA.
My concern is that AT&T gives a lot of money to RW candidates and for
RW causes like net neutrality.

CREDO is actually a telecommunications company that gives to liberal
causes. They do cell phone service. When I can break away from Sprint
and they have hotspot capabilities I will switch to Credo.
http://www.credomobile.com/

Qwest is the only telecommunications company that wouldn't turn over
info to NSA, so the government went after the CEO.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/10/01/1243061/-Qwest-CEO-Who-Resisted-NSA-Spying-Finally-Released-From-Prison-After-Four-Years-of-Incarceration

[Thinkingabout]

17. This is an illusion many people have, trust me, these companies are resellers of

facilities purchases from AT&T, Quest, etc. I heard this story 20 years ago in church and their reason for signing up with other companies is because AT&T allowed porn, the companies which was selling purchased from AT&T so in the long run you are still purchasing from the companies which gives to RW causes.

[aggiesal]

19. That may be true . . .

because AT&T may maintain the internet backbone.
But that doesn't mean I have to pad their profits with
my personal $$$'s

Vonage is a complete VoIP system. My internet provider is
Time Warner which is another RW supporter. But there isn't
much choice for internet providers.

[Thinkingabout]

20. Exactly

[aggiesal]

4. Yea, because they've been doing it for years. . . .

This is a surprise?

[gvstn]

9. You don't see a lot of regulation of fiber optic or satellite networks.

I believe this is what you call a backroom deal. The Feds aren't initiating any new regulations on these companies' new networks and in exchange they get all the information they want.

Qwest was the only one to hold out on the NSA request and their CEO was convicted of insider trading a few years later and the company was taken over after that.

[slipslidingaway]

12. I think there was a vote in Congress years ago to give the telecom companies

immunity? Who voted for that?

[blkmusclmachine]

13. Too Big To Divulge

(Info)

[DisgustipatedinCA]

15. And if you don't like that, you can leave AT&T for the low price of $2250.00

I wanted to quit them. But with 5 smart phones, none of them co-termed, they want $1250 in early termination fees. Another $1000 to buy equivalent smart phones to work on a different network brings the total to $2250. They're unrepentant spies and thieves.

[sendero]

18. AT&T is easily.

.... one of sleaziest companies in operation today, and they have been for a long time. I will never do any business with them again.

And in case anyone here didn't know it already, "to the extent required by law" is a joke because the NSA JUST MAKES LAWS UP OUT OF THIN AIR, and the FISA courts are a pathetic fig leaf.

[Jesus Malverde]

21. ATT are scum feeding off the teat of government.

By becoming an extension of the national security state they become "too big to fail" and essential to our national security. Just like the parasitic banks are essential to our economic security.