Wiretap Ruling Threatens Telecoms

ches_grin writes "Yesterday's ruling on the NSA warrantless wiretapping program could mean that businesses that assisted in the program are in for some serious legal problems. The judge's decision clearly dismissed out of hand the arguments of the telecoms, saying that the protections due journalists and lawyers was a clear matter of the public's best interests." From the article: "Businesses accused of aiding the Bush administration in wiretapping could also be in for a legal bruising, say civil liberties groups that have sued telecom providers AT&T, Verizon, and BellSouth for allegedly helping the NSA. The ruling could set a precedent other courts can't ignore. 'Every phone company that is assisting the government in its illegal surveillance would want to think long and hard before it continues that agreement,' says Ann Beeson, the ACLU's lead attorney in the case. 'There are already lawsuits claiming that their cooperation for the past several years is illegal and now that the judge has declared it is illegal, their liability increases. The risk is much greater from a business perspective.'"

Comments

"Threatens telecoms"? Two words.

[Zephyros]

Fuck 'em.

Re:What a Novel Concept!

[Tackhead]

> Nixon resigned under the shadow of impeachment for illegally wiretapping a hotel. One single place. This administration basically wrietapped the entire country.

"Everyone screams that they want a government that listens to its people. We did that, and then y'all turn around and ask the us to stop listening. What gives? Make up your minds, or maybe it's time for us to just dissolve the people and elected a new one!"
- Your Government

Re:I think it will start a bad presidence.

[Anonymous Coward]

First of all, it's "precedent".

While I feel the wiretapping is illegal, suing the companies that helped the government I feel is bad practice. These companies are in a bad position both ways. First you got a governing body to tell you to do something or face the consequences. You can be noble and such and be placed in jail and/or pay for lawyers to defend you, or just do what they say because they tell you it for national security and you have to assume that it is legal.

Qwest did, in fact, tell the NSA that they would not cooperate. If it was possible, I would switch my phone service to them in a heartbeat. But I live within the goegraphical monopoly that is SBC (new AT&T), so I have no choice.

BTW, new byline for AT&T: Your World, Delivered (To The NSA)

Re:What a Novel Concept!

[MECC]

Because Bush is wiretapping the country to save us from the terrorists! The terrorists!!! You remember the terrorists, don't you?

Exactly. Nixon was illegally wiretapping to save us from the democrats! The democrats!!! You remember the democrats, don't you?

Re:Extremely OT

[Shawn is an Asshole]

That's prolly a good idea.

Re:What a Novel Concept!

[genner]

The democrats!!! You remember the democrats, don't you?

Ummm no.

Re:What a Novel Concept!

[Y2]

I think I missed the part of the oath of office that said what took precedence over upholding and defending the constitution. Could you fill me in on that?

Re:Uh, no. Nixon's administration did more than th

[markmier]

Yes, because efficient killing of brown people is the pinnacle of human achievement. And also the best possible use of our tax dollars. Think of the children!