Verizon: News Media Made Factual Errors in NSA Story
Jim Kouri, CPP
May 13, 2006
When President George Bush referred to an NSA program, which he authorized to be directed against Al-Qaeda, the news media quickly began pointing accusatory fingers at Verizon for allegedly providing customer information to the National Security Agency, according to company officials.
Because the NSA program is highly classified, Verizon said that it's executives could not comment on the program, nor can they confirm or deny whether they have had any relationship to it.
However, in a statement released on Friday, Verizon officials said that there have been factual errors in press coverage about the way Verizon handles customer information in general.
"Verizon puts the interests of our customers first and has a longstanding commitment to vigorously safeguard our customers' privacy -- a commitment we've
highlighted in our privacy principles," said in Friday's statement.
Verizon said that they will provide customer information to a government agency only where authorized by law for "appropriately-defined and focused purposes." When information is provided, Verizon states that they seek to ensure it is properly used for that purpose and is subject to appropriate safeguards against improper use.
Verizon strongly asserts that it does not, and will not, provide any government agency "unfettered access" to their customer records or provide information to the government under circumstances that would allow a "fishing expedition."
In January 2006, Verizon acquired MCI. Officials at Verizon said they are ensuring that Verizon's policies are implemented at MCI and that all of its activities fully comply with law.
Verizon officials stated that they hope that the Administration and the Congress can come together and agree on a process in an appropriate setting, and with safeguards for protecting classified information, to examine any issues that have been raised about the program.
"Verizon is fully prepared to participate in such a process," they wrote.
Because the NSA program is highly classified, Verizon said that it's executives could not comment on the program, nor can they confirm or deny whether they have had any relationship to it.
However, in a statement released on Friday, Verizon officials said that there have been factual errors in press coverage about the way Verizon handles customer information in general.
"Verizon puts the interests of our customers first and has a longstanding commitment to vigorously safeguard our customers' privacy -- a commitment we've
highlighted in our privacy principles," said in Friday's statement.
Verizon said that they will provide customer information to a government agency only where authorized by law for "appropriately-defined and focused purposes." When information is provided, Verizon states that they seek to ensure it is properly used for that purpose and is subject to appropriate safeguards against improper use.
Verizon strongly asserts that it does not, and will not, provide any government agency "unfettered access" to their customer records or provide information to the government under circumstances that would allow a "fishing expedition."
In January 2006, Verizon acquired MCI. Officials at Verizon said they are ensuring that Verizon's policies are implemented at MCI and that all of its activities fully comply with law.
Verizon officials stated that they hope that the Administration and the Congress can come together and agree on a process in an appropriate setting, and with safeguards for protecting classified information, to examine any issues that have been raised about the program.
"Verizon is fully prepared to participate in such a process," they wrote.
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