EFF Sues AT&T Over NSA Wiretapping

[file83]

The article: http://www.boingboing.net/2006/01/31/eff_suing_att_for_he.html

<snip>
"The lawsuits alleges that AT&T Corp. has opened its key telecommunications facilities and databases to direct access by the NSA and/or other government agencies, thereby disclosing to the government the contents of its customers' communications as well as detailed communications records about millions of its customers, including the lawsuit's class members.

The lawsuit also alleges that AT&T has given the government unfettered access to its over 300 terabyte "Daytona" database of caller information -- one of the largest databases in the world. Moreover, by opening its network and databases to wholesale surveillance by the NSA, EFF alleges that AT&T has violated the privacy of its customers and the people they call and email, as well as broken longstanding communications privacy laws."
<snip>



The EFF's website concerning the case: http://www.eff.org/legal/cases/att/

[desi826]

1. Good for them

Maybe if we start hitting the corporations directly, we will start making progresss.
Des

[JuneInJax]

2. Thank Heaven I'm not on ATT

not even for long distance.

I'm alllllll safe with BellSouth!!!!! :sarcasm:

:scared:
Moni

[EFerrari]

3. Didn't ATT just merge with one of the Baby Bells?

With SBC?

[tritsofme]

4. SBC bought Ma Bell last year.

And decided to keep the AT&T name.

[EFerrari]

5. Nice. We have SBC. n/t

[leveymg]

6. The company recorded and retained the calls of all its 1.2 mil customers

over a four year period -- without a warrant. That's a direct violation of the federal wiretap law - 5 years imprisonment, $10,000 fine for each count. Ma Bell has 6 million years in jail coming along with $12 billion in fines. :wow:

[Dogmudgeon]

7. But -- did they download any MP3s?

The heck with federal wiretap law. Let's get some real lawbreakers, like 14-year-old downloaders!

--p!

[EFerrari]

8. What do you think AT&T would chose, if their customers started

a boycott?

We need to send this story everywhere.

[leveymg]

9. Cingular and T-Mobile took over AT&T Wireless in 2004

http://www.fcc.gov/transaction/cingular-att_wireless.html

Cingular/AT&T Wireless
Timeline | Orders & Public Notices | Record Documents | Applications | Background | Contacts
See the related transaction in Docket 04-254 -- Cingular Wireless and T-Mobile USA, Inc. seek FCC consent to assignment of licenses and approval of long-term De Facto leasing arrangements.

This page provides information on the joint application filed by AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. (“AT&T Wireless”) and Cingular Wireless Corporation (“Cingular”) (collectively, “the Applicants”) to the Commission seeking consent to transfer control of various Commission licenses and authorizations held by AT&T Wireless and its wholly- or majority-owned subsidiaries to Cingular (“Application”). This transfer of control will take place as a result of a proposed merger whereby AT&T Wireless will become an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Cingular. The Applicants also request a waiver of the cellular cross-interest rule contained in section 22.942 of the Commission’s rules, which generally limits the ability of a licensee for one channel block to have more than a five percent ownership interest in the cellular licensee for the other channel block in an overlapping portion of the same Rural Service Area (“RSA”). As a result of the proposed merger, Cingular would be acquiring an interest in the cellular A Block licensee from AT&T Wireless in eleven RSAs where Cingular currently holds an attributable interest in the cellular B Block licensee.

Interested parties must file petitions to deny no later than May 3, 2004. Persons and entities that file petitions to deny become parties to the proceeding. They may participate fully in the proceeding, including seeking access to any confidential information that may be filed under a protective order, seeking reconsideration of decisions, and filing appeals of a final decision to the courts. Oppositions to such pleadings must be filed no later than May 13, 2004. Replies to such pleadings must be filed no later than May 20, 2004. All filings concerning matters referenced to in this Public Notice should refer to DA 04-932 and WT Docket No. 04-70, as well as the specific file numbers of the individual applications or other matters to which the filings pertain. Copies of the applications and any subsequently-filed documents in this matter may be obtained from Qualex International, in person at 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY-B402, Washington, D.C. 20554, via telephone at [phone], via facsimile at [phone], or via e-mail at [e-mail]. The applications and any associated documents are also available for public inspection and copying during normal reference room hours at the FCC Reference Center. The applications are also available electronically through the Commission’s Universal Licensing System and most of the record in the proceeding is accessible through the Electronic Comment Filing System.


Timeline

10/26/04 - Day 208

[tritsofme]

10. AT&T spun off AT&T Wireless several years ago.

Two different companies at that point.

Cingular bought AT&T Wireless in 2004.

SBC has a 60% stake in Cingular.

SBC bought AT&T in 2005.

They are now all once again under the same corporate umbrella.

A very tangled web.

[leveymg]

11. Wonder if the AT&T spying arrangement w/NSA carried over

to AT&T Wireless?

AT&T spun-off its wireless operations on July 9, 2001. http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/9_781401

[leveymg]

14. Other companies use the AT&T network and facilities

This may have impacted customers of other companies, including the 73 million households which use AT&T phones and its 1.2 million internet customers.

For instance, TimeWarner has an arrangement with AT&T/SBC to provide last-mile access service:

http://www.sbc.com/gen/press-room?pid=4800&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=21695

Time Warner Telecom, AT&T, SBC Extend Long-Term Service Agreement

Time Warner Telecom to Deliver "last-Mile" Network Services to Merged Companies; Agreement Provides Businesses the Benefits of Alternative Communications Choices

San Antonio, Texas, Bedminster, New Jersey, Littleton, Colorado, June 1, 2005

Time Warner Telecom (Nasdaq: TWTC), SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE: SBC) and AT&T Corp. (NYSE: T) today announced the extension of a long-term service agreement under which Time Warner Telecom would provide special access and other "last-mile" network services to the companies nationwide through 2010. The deal, effective upon completion of the SBC and AT&T merger, demonstrates the parties' commitment to promoting viable competition in the telecommunications industry and to delivering businesses the benefits of alternative communications choices. "This agreement enables SBC, post-merger, to become a more effective out-of-region provider, thereby enhancing competition in the industry nationwide," said Mark Keiffer, senior vice president-business marketing for SBC. "SBC is pleased to build upon the long-term business relationship AT&T has had with Time Warner Telecom."

This new commercial agreement would extend a current contract between Time Warner Telecom and AT&T through Dec. 31, 2010, for the combined AT&T and SBC once the merger is completed. AT&T entered into a long-term commercial agreement with Time Warner Telecom on Jan. 1, 2001, buying local network access primarily to provide private-line and special-access services to businesses nationwide, and for local termination of long-distance and international calls. "This agreement ensures that we will continue our valued business relationship with AT&T post-merger, and that we will be able to include SBC in that relationship, allowing us to be a viable competitor of and supplier to the merged entity," said John Blount, executive vice president-field operations for Time Warner Telecom. "We are excited about the opportunity to be a key provider for the combined entity."

"Time Warner Telecom has been a valuable supplier of 'last-mile' network services used to connect our corporate customers to the AT&T network in many markets around the country," said Regina Egea, AT&T vice president of global access strategy and bandwidth product management. "We're very pleased this relationship will continue once our merger with SBC is completed." Completion of the SBC-AT&T merger is expected by the end of this year or in early 2006, following all necessary regulatory and governmental approvals.
In a separate agreement, SBC will provide Time Warner Telecom with special access and other "last-mile" network services in SBC's traditional in-region territory for five years. The deal, which will take effect June 2, 2005, strengthens Time Warner Telecom's ability to compete effectively for the nationwide business market.

SBC Communications Inc. is a Fortune 50 company whose subsidiaries, operating under the SBC brand, provide a full range of voice, data, networking, e-business, directory publishing and advertising, and related services to businesses, consumers and other telecommunications providers. SBC holds a 60 percent ownership interest in Cingular Wireless, which serves more than 50 million wireless customers. SBC companies provide high-speed DSL Internet access lines to more American consumers than any other provider and are among the nation's leading providers of Internet services. SBC companies also now offer satellite TV service. Additional information about SBC and SBC products and services is available at www.sbc.com.

For more than 125 years, AT&T (NYSE "T") has been known for unparalleled quality and reliability in communications. Backed by the research and development capabilities of AT&T Labs, the company is a global leader in local, long distance, Internet and transaction-based voice and data services. Time Warner Telecom, headquartered in Littleton, Colo., provides managed network services, specializing in Ethernet and transport data networking, Internet access, local and long distance voice, VoIP and security, to enterprise organizations and communications services companies throughout the U.S. As a leading provider of integrated and converged network solutions, Time Warner Telecom delivers customers overall economic value, quality, service, and improved business productivity. With nearly 20,000 route miles of its own local and regional fiber networks, a national IP backbone with 10 Gbps capacity, and nearly 5,300 buildings connected directly to its fiber networks, Time Warner Telecom provides the local "last mile" of reliable communications services to customers. Please visit www.twtelecom.com for more information.

About the Proposed SBC/AT&T Merger:
In connection with the proposed transaction, SBC Communications Inc. ("SBC") filed a registration statement, including a proxy statement of AT&T Corp., with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 11, 2005 (File No. 333-123283). Investors are urged to read the registration and proxy statement (including all amendments and supplements to it) because it contains important information. Investors may obtain free copies of the registration and proxy statement, as well as other filings containing information about SBC and AT&T Corp., without charge, at the SEC's Internet site (www.sec.gov). These documents may also be obtained for free from SBC's Investor Relations web site (www.sbc.com/investor_relations) or by directing a request to SBC Communications Inc., Stockholder Services, 175 E. Houston, San Antonio, Texas 78205.Copies of AT&T Corp.'s filings may be accessed and downloaded for free at the AT&T Investor Relations Web Site (www.att.com/ir/sec) or by directing a request to AT&T Corp., Investor Relations, One AT&T Way, Bedminster, New Jersey 07921. SBC, AT&T Corp. and their respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from AT&T shareholders in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding SBC's directors and executive officers is available in SBC's proxy statement for its 2005 annual meeting of stockholders, dated March 11, 2005, and information regarding AT&T Corp.'s directors and executive officers is available in the registration and proxy statement.Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants is included in the registration and proxy statement and other relevant documents filed with the SEC.

[leveymg]

15. Here's an AT&T "certified agent" for internet service

http://www.xtelesis.com/solutions/carrier.php

AT&T Carrier Services
Xtelesis is proud to be an AT&T Certified Agent.

AT&T's leadership in networking and telecommunications has earned a worldwide reputation for innovation, reliability, and excellence.

AT&T runs the world's largest, most sophisticated communications network and has one of the largest digital wireless networks in North America. A leading supplier of data and Internet services for businesses, AT&T delivers broadband video, voice, and data services to customers throughout the world

[file83]

17. AT&T = American Tapping & Treason

[leveymg]

16. You may see an AT&T Carrier Cost Assessment Fee on your phone bill

That is a sure tip-off that some of your calls have gone through the AT&T system, even if AT&T isn't your regular carrier:

http://www.consumer.att.com/ccrf/faqs.html

Questions & Answers

Q1. Why was the name changed from Regulatory Assessment Fee?
A1. AT&T has always provided clear and conspicuous disclosure of the nature and reason for this fee. In a continued effort towards maintaining clarity and customer understanding of this charge, AT&T decided to change the name to Carrier Cost Recovery Fee.


Q2. Why do I have to pay this fee?
A2. The Carrier Cost Recovery Fee helps AT&T recover those costs associated with providing state-to-state and international long distance service, including state-to-state and international connection charges, property taxes, and the expenses of regulatory proceedings and compliance. In the competitive environment we are in, we cannot continue to absorb these costs.


Q3. What does each customer pay?
A3. The Carrier Cost Recovery Fee is $1.49 cents per month. This fee applies for each month in which you have any AT&T state-to-state connection and/or international charges on your bill.


Q4. How will I be assessed the Carrier Cost Recovery Fee if my bill contains multiple months?
A4. The Carrier Cost Recovery Fee applies for each month in which you have any AT&T state-to-state connection and/or international charges on your bill. For example, if you receive an AT&T bill covering three months, and for two of the three months you have AT&T state-to-state connection and/or international charges, you will receive two fees.


Q5. If I don't have any AT&T charges in a month, will I still receive this charge?
A5. If you do not have any AT&T state-to-state connection and/or international charges in any given month, you will not be assessed the fee for that month.


Q6. How does this fee appear on an AT&T customer's telephone bill?
A6. The Carrier Cost Recovery Fee appears as a separate line item on your bill. This fee appears in the "Other Charges and Credits" section of the Long Distance portion of your bill.

[salin]

12. Excellent

forces the discussion of the spying program - before a court.

[EFerrari]

13. Kick

[BurningDog]

18. Donate.

They're a nonprofit consumer rights group that relies on donations from members to operate.

They are also involved with electronic voting machine fraud: http://www.eff.org/Activism/E-voting/

http://www.eff.org/