I wrote a brief letter to Verizon, my (now former) phone service provider asking whether they gave my phone records to the government. Here was their response.

Thank you for contacting the Verizon eCenter. My name is [name of rep], and I will be handling your request today.

This message is in response to your email dated May 11, 2006. You inquired about your phone records. 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.

Sincerely,
[Name Of Rep]
Verizon eCenter

THIS MESSAGE WILL SELF DESTRUCT IN 30 SECONDS……………..

They could tell me, but they would have to kill me. Wow that’s cool, I feel like I’m in ALIAS!

Verizon TOTALLY appreciates the USA Today story. They’re PSYCHED at the allegations they made millions of their customers’ phone records government knowledge. I’m sure it will do wonders for their business.

Can we just get on with finding Osama bin Laden, who, incidentally, is not using Verizon? At least, I don’t think they are in Pakistan.

Verizon places such a high value on my privacy that they are willing to violate it without warrant or probable cause when the government asks, and then won’t tell me when it does because that information is private. Irony is dead.