Report: DOJ subpoenas reached far beyond Web-search companies

[UpInArms]

http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=%7BDF0E84BB%2D5457%2D4126%2DA389%2D9E91423D76AB%7D&dist=newsfinder&symbol=&siteid=mktw

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued subpoenas to at least 34 technology companies in addition to Google Inc. (GOOG), Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), Time Warner Inc. (TWX) and Yahoo Inc. (YHOO) last year in its effort to defend the Child Online Protection Act, according to InformationWeek.

In a sweeping move, the Bush administration demanded information from Internet service providers, search companies and security software makers as part of its investigation into Internet pornography and the effectiveness of software filters in shielding minors.

Targets of the subpoenas included AT&T Inc. (T), BellSouth Corp. (BLS), Cablevision Systems Corp. (CVC), Comcast Corp. (CMCSA, CMCSK), Computer Associates, Cox Communications, EarthLink Inc. (ELNK), LookSmart Ltd. (LOOK), McAfee Inc. (MFE), Secure Computing Corp. (SCUR), Symantec Corp. (SYMC), United Online Inc. (UNTD) and Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ), InformationWeek learned after filing a Freedom of Information Act request.

A DOJ spokesperson wasn't immediately available to comment.

The documents presented to the publication revealed that Google wasn't alone in objecting to the government's demands. Lawyers for Verizon and Cablevision also protested, InformationWeek reported.

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[DELUSIONAL]

1. can we say FISHING expedition??

[Roland99]

2. McAfee??

[NVMojo]

3. wow, this is freaking amazing! I'm surprised this hasn't come out

sooner! Of course, if it is truly a criminal investigation ...

[Karmakaze]

6. Thats the whole point! It WASN'T a criminal investigation!

I don't know why this has gotten so little play - but as they said in the article this was NOT a criminal investigation. The Bush admin was using subpoena's to gather information to "defend" their POLICY! No one was accused of any crime, no criminal acts were even alledged! Since when can the government search private records to "defend" a policy?

[Rex]

7. Since December 12th 2000.

Little did he realize he hit the trifecta.

[BR_Parkway]

4. Cablevision? Did they want to know who was watching American Idol?

[leftchick]

5. more likely

the adult pay per views.