Slashdot Mirror
Telecom Companies Seek Retroactive Immunity
kidcharles writes "Newsweek reports that a secretive lobbying campaign has been launched by telecommunications companies who are seeking retroactive immunity from private lawsuits over their cooperation with the NSA in the so-called 'terrorist surveillance program.' Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell has claimed that lawsuits could 'bankrupt these companies.' The Electronic Frontier Foundation has filed a lawsuit against AT&T over their cooperation in the domestic spying program. EFF legal director Cindy Cohen said of the lobbying campaign, 'They are trying to completely immunize this [the surveillance program] from any kind of judicial review. I find it a little shocking that Congress would participate in the covering up of what has been going on.'"
Following your interpretation, no phone calls could ever be legally tapped by the NSA, anywhere in the world. After all, it could be an American in the Chinese embassy making the call. Or it could be an American receiving the call. This way lies madness.
Phones do not have citizenship, people do. The NSA should be allowed to tap any damn call any damn time, because even in this country there are non-Americans making damn phone calls to other non-Americans.
What should NOT happen, is allowing the contents of the phone calls to be used in the prosecution of Americans. This is in fact what happens and it is a well recognized remedy for when abuses take place. Evidence is declared non-admissable.
There is no right to privacy. Just ask Jennifer Lopez or Britney Spears.