Verizon is full of Sh!t...

[OneAngryDemocrat]

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

[tulsakatz]

1. call an attorney........

...unfortunately, that's probably the best answer you will get out of them. Corporations usually have only one answer to a specific question........no matter how many times you ask.

[Kutjara]

2. I am glad that you and others are taking the Telcos to task over this.

They need to be kept squirming in as many ways as possible. I know that the person handling individual emails about this issue is only a lowly-paid flunky, but if there are enough disgruntled and harrassed flunkies, they will start appearing on senior executives' radar.

I do think that you'll probably get exactly the same form email back in response to your second request. It would be interesting to see how many of the same email you receive to repeated requests. The chances of getting a straight answer short of a class-action suit are pretty slim, but it would show the hypocracy and lack of commitment to 'customer privacy' for all to see.

[Swamp Rat]

3. I'm canceling my account Verizon

They lost me and will NEVER get me back. I'd rather have no phone.

[OneAngryDemocrat]

4. I won't...

I won't cancel until I know that Verizon has begun to ignore my e-mails.

I want to give them EVERY opportunity to address my concerns...

And THEN I'll sue the fnck out of 'em.

Visit my anti-war website, www.shockedandawful.com

[Swamp Rat]

6. Great website!

Fucking outrageous what they want to do to our National Guard! :grr:

Here's my gallery:

http://news.globalfreepress.com/gallery/index.php?cat=10002

Feel free to post any of my pix on your website.

[OneAngryDemocrat]

7. Thanx!!!

I'm going to take you up on that!!!

[BadgerKid]

5. if you have to ask twice

I'd assume "yes". Good luck. Sue their ASSets.