The News.com survey, started Jan. 25, found that wireless providers and cable companies were the most likely to distance themselves from the NSA. Cingular Wireless, Comcast, Cox Communications, Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile said they had not turned over information or opened their networks to the NSA without being required by law.
Companies that are backbone providers, or which operate undersea cables spanning the ocean, were among the least likely to respond. AT&T, Cable & Wireless, Global Crossing, Level 3, NTT Communications, SAVVIS Communications and Verizon Communications chose not to answer the questions posed to them.
Who's helping the NSA?
CNET News.com asked telecommunications and Internet companies about cooperation with the Bush administration's domestic eavesdropping scheme. We asked them: "Have you turned over information or opened up your networks to the NSA without being compelled by law?"
Company Response
Adelphia Communications Declined comment
AOL Time Warner No <1>
AT&T Declined comment
BellSouth Communications No
Cable & Wireless* No response
Cablevision Systems No
CenturyTel No
Charter Communications No <1>
Cingular Wireless No <2>
Citizens Communications No response
Cogent Communications* No <1>
Comcast No
Cox Communications No
EarthLink No
Global Crossing* Inconclusive
Google Declined comment
Level 3* No response
Microsoft No <3>
NTT Communications* Inconclusive <4>
Qwest Communications No <2>
SAVVIS Communications* No response
Sprint Nextel No <2>
T-Mobile USA No <2>
United Online No response
Verizon Communications Inconclusive <5>
XO Communications* No <1>
Yahoo Declined comment
* = Not a company contacted by Rep. John Conyers.
<1> The answer did not explicitly address NSA but said that compliance happens only if required by law.
<2> Provided by a source with knowledge of what this company is telling Conyers. In the case of Sprint Nextel, the source was familiar with Nextel's operations.
<3> As part of an answer to a closely related question for a different survey.
<4> The response was "NTT Communications respects the privacy rights of our customers and complies fully with law enforcement requests as permitted and required by law."
<5> The response was "Verizon complies with applicable laws and does not comment on law enforcement or national security matters."
I say we get a mass exodus from AT&T and the like, and all give the same answer:
"I am against the illegal domestic wire-tapping program I am disappointed and appalled at {insert provider's name]}'s participation in this program. I am ALSO equally upset about the net neutrality position of your company. I will be switching my service to {insert name of new company}."
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