Daily Kos linked to the USA Today article that further exposes the NSA’s web of illegal data collection, explaining that it has the largest database in the world comprised of every call originating within the US of A. Well, every call made via every telecom company save one: Qwest. Check this out:
The NSA, which needed Qwest’s participation to completely cover the country, pushed back hard.
Trying to put pressure on Qwest, NSA representatives pointedly told Qwest that it was the lone holdout among the big telecommunications companies. It also tried appealing to Qwest’s patriotic side: In one meeting, an NSA representative suggested that Qwest’s refusal to contribute to the database could compromise national security, one person recalled.
In addition, the agency suggested that Qwest’s foot-dragging might affect its ability to get future classified work with the government. Like other big telecommunications companies, Qwest already had classified contracts and hoped to get more.
Unable to get comfortable with what NSA was proposing, Qwest’s lawyers asked NSA to take its proposal to the FISA court. According to the sources, the agency refused.
Kos highlights that Alberto Gonzales “wouldn’t rule out” the idea that the feds have legal authority to perform this gross violation of privacy. Interesting, then, that the NSA refused to take the proposal to a FISA court when Qwest asked, isn’t it?
Every once in a while, corporate America surprises me. Even though it was only one company, someone fought back. Qwest stood to lose access to contracts and take heat from a scary-ass, highly unaccountable organization, yet they steadfastly denied the NSA access to its calls. Maybe they were just covering their asses; as the article points out, if the NSA’s efforts were discovered and privacy was deemed to be violated, Qwest could be fined substantially and probably sued as well. Still, at least they said, “hey, would you guys mind taking your scheme to the super-secret court whozawhatzis that should tell us whether it’s legit?” That the NSA said “thanks, but no thanks” indicates little confidence this could hold up under scrutiny.
No doubt the ‘nutty punditry will proclaim the NSA database acceptable, possibly even constitutional. Just remember that Qwest asked the government to prove it, and they refused. So nyah.
For now, I’m thinking Qwest for my telecommunications needs (theoretically, anyway — I’m outside their service area). I’m also thinking we will someday get to sue the pants off the other guys, and that fruit’s gonna taste mighty sweet.
[...] The clear answer to this is to make random phone calls to Arab nations en masse. If I can’t get out of my Verizon contract, I might as well have some fun with them. [...]
Just over on link from Pandagon.
Decided yesterday I’d forego all others and marry QWest.
Thought this might be link to that.
Gonna….anyway.
cheers
P.S. the point might be that these takings & doings were not mandated..
the rest of ‘em ELECTED to spy on us.
Wow. Qwest did something worthwhile. I guess I can be (more) glad that they’re my phone company.
oh hey cool! I used to have Qwest as my long-distance calls carrier, but then I went all wireless. Good for Qwest!