Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Who Does Your Data Belong To?There is no privacy left and your personal information does not belong to you...at least according to AT&T. According to the San Francisco Chronicle...AT&T has issued an updated privacy policy that takes effect Friday. The changes are significant because they appear to give the telecom giant more latitude when it comes to sharing customers' personal data with government officials.Friday is a big day for AT&T. The Electronic Frontier Foundation is leading a class-action lawsuit against the telecom giant for allowing the National Security Agency warrantless access to its customers' emails and Internet browsing habits. Friday is the day that a federal judge in San Francisco will hear oral arguments on the government's motion to dismiss the case. The government is contending that the legalities (or illegalities) don't matter as much as the need to protect state secrets. AT&T is also believed to be involved in the president's illegal domestic spying program, allowing warrantless access to customers' phone calls and records. The new watered-down privacy policy is AT&T's way to CYA... "They're obviously trying to avoid a hornet's nest of consumer-protection lawsuits," said Chris Hoofnagle, a San Francisco privacy consultant and former senior counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center.AT&T doesn't understand what the big deal is... John Britton, an AT&T spokesman, denied that the updated privacy policy marks a shift in the company's approach to customers' info. | +Save/Share | | |
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