Letters to the Editor

Letters posted here are associated with the following article:
It's the network
Verizon gave the government phone and Internet records on 720 customers. The government wanted more.
Tim Grieve [2007-10-16]
The letters thread is now closed.

  • 720 that they admit to

    phone company truths, specially from Verizon, are few and far between. Do you believe them? Do you believe them that after threatened litigation and major actions they admit to 720?

    let me observe that 720 is a funny number. It is like saying we need 10 billion more for Iraq. 10? why not 9334567--- like the real number is. 720 is phoney and we should all know it.

    -- hdhouse
    [Read hdhouse's other letters]
    Tuesday, October 16, 2007 04:38 AM

  • Verizon not veritas

    I was a Verizon customer when this initial story broke. I politely inquired from customer service whether my records had been released to the government without my authority. I have no reason to think they would be, unless of course someone I talked with about an order with a merchant, or someone I called asking for a donation to the American Heart Association, or someone I called while working on my high school reunion committee, etc., could have been on their "list." The responses I got from the company were so devious and arrogant and insulting that I immediately cancelled my service with Verizon and moved to an internet phone carrier. My current service is better, sends phone messages directly to my e-mail, and costs 1/3 of what my monthly service with Verizon cost. When I call them, I get to talk to an actual human being who engages in actual meaningful conversation and responds to the questions I ask. Verizon keeps sending me mail asking me to "come back." They just gave me "720" (I agree that's a phony number) not to!

    Verizon should not be given immunity from anything. It is wrong to divulge private customer information to the government, period. Their defense of themselves was arrogant and rude. What's next? They'll be sharing our credit card numbers with Blackwater?

    -- heyjude
    [Read heyjude's other letters]
    Tuesday, October 16, 2007 05:17 AM

  • Verizon Shares Data...

    ...Unless you ask them not to.

    Apparently Verizon Wireless will share your calling info to third party affiliates UNLESS YOU OPT OUT.

    If you're a Verizon Wireless customer, call 1-800-333-9956 to opt out of the program. Details in the link below

    http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/verizon-wireless/verizon-shares-your-call-data-unless-you-opt+out-311102.php

    -- FilthyHarry
    [Read FilthyHarry's other letters]
    Tuesday, October 16, 2007 05:32 AM

  • I don't like the new War Room

    I don't like having to click again for the story. If you're going to keep War "Room" stories in a "closet" I'll stop coming. Please don't make us click twice for a story.

    Thanks

    -- playera
    [Read playera's other letters]
    Tuesday, October 16, 2007 05:43 AM

  • Poor FilthyHarry

    I don't think opting out of that program opts you out of having your data included in what is handed over to the Executive Branch in this "war on terror."

    The great news is that our newly elected Congress -- those brave Democrats who were going to stand up for the peopole -- will retroactively make this illegal act legal. Not only does this let existing criminals off the hook, it validates such future crimes (yes, Congress can not make legal what the Constitution forbids, and this is a clear violation of the 4th Amendment -- it can just reduce the chances that anyone will do anything to enforce the 4th Amendment).

    Let's watch how Hillary Clinton votes on amnesty for Verizon, and then adjust our votes accordingly.

    -- Reality-based Liberal
    [Read Reality-based Liberal's other letters]
    Tuesday, October 16, 2007 05:46 AM

  • More of the "Be afraid, very afraid" defense

    The company said it does not determine the requests' legality or necessity because to do so would slow efforts to save lives in criminal investigations. -- Verizon

    The fear mongering here is over the top.

    We have to allow illegal, unconstitutional access to our prvate records so one of us or one of our loved ones are not killed. Ok... and go fuk yourself, you panty waisted Verizon assholes. There is maybe a rare situation but probably no situation except on dumbass shows like 24 where there is a pressing need that cannot be handled legally.

    -- sajwan
    [Read sajwan's other letters]
    Tuesday, October 16, 2007 06:01 AM

  • re: 720

    I'm not surprised, but I'm still effing furious.

    They admit to handing over information 720 times over two years. Let's say each of those 720 times involved calls to 20 people. Who also made calls to 20 people. Now we're up to 303,120* people affected.

    And that doesn't even count the internet records. With how many people do you communicate by internet that you don't communicate with by phone? Hint: you're communicating with maybe 100 strangers in this forum alone.

    Verizon "does not determine the requests' legality or necessity because to do so would slow efforts to save lives in criminal investigations." Really? So I can I just ask for anyone's records because I say it's really important? Maybe I'm a private investigator. A journalist. A random blogger. Maybe I'm checking up on a cheating significant other. But I promise I'm trying to do justice and save lives.

    Verizon, you have a contract with your customers.

    Effing douchebags.

    -

    *Math geeks, correct me if I'm wrong. I haven't had coffee yet.

    -- mizbinkley
    [Read mizbinkley's other letters]
    Tuesday, October 16, 2007 06:53 AM

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