I e-mailed Verizon, and simply asked them if they had turned over any of my phone records to the government,
WITHOUT A WARRENT.
I received a form letter, as did everyone else, here at DU, who complained, which reads...
Thank you for contacting the Verizon eCenter. My name is Robert, and I will be handling your request today.
This message is in response to your email dated May 12, 2006. You inquired about the NSA news article . I will be happy to assist you.
We appreciate that the USA Today article and other reports about the possibility that the NSA is able to analyze local call data records is causing concern. Please be assured that Verizon places the highest value on protecting the privacy of our customers.
Anything to do with the NSA is of course highly classified, so we can not comment on whether or not the news article causing concern is even accurate. But we can say that, to the extent that we cooperate with government authorities, we are confident that we are complying with all applicable statutes. We appreciate the continuing opportunity to provide you with service.
Thank you for using Verizon. We appreciate your business.
In turn, I have sent them back the following response...
Your response is pitiful.
You stated, ''Anything to do with the NSA is of course highly classified, so we can not comment on whether or not the news article causing concern is even accurate. But we can say that, to the extent that we cooperate with government authorities, we are confident that we are complying with all applicable statutes.''
My question was simpler than all of that.
I simply asked if you turned over any of my phone records, WITHOUT A WARRANT.
There isn't a single ''applicable statute'' that allows Verizon to violate my Fourth Amendment rights from illegal search.
The Fourth Amendment states, '' The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.''
Nowhere in your reply did you simply state, ''No, Verizon did not turn over any information without a warrant.''
A simple ''No, Verizon did not turn over any information without a warrant,'' could have indicated that no governmetnt search was ever conducted.
But it also could have indicated that a search WAS conducted, but was conducted in full compliance with my Fourth Amendment rights.
Your answer was wholly insufficient, so I will ask my question, again.
For the second time, did Verizon turn over any of my phone records, to the government, WITHOUT A WARRANT?
Visit my anti-war website, www.shockedandawful.com