Qwest says they flat-out didn’t oblige NSA’s request for phone records. Bell South and Verizon are now saying “We Never!” That leaves AT&T holding the bag, but probably not for long.

So are the phone companies lying? Only if there is an elaborate agreement in place to have each org cover the @ss of the other, which would eventually leak out or be exposed in court proceedings. Too risky.

If they’d placed access points in the right places nothing stops the NSA from grabbing the data without corporate consent, but that really is “warrantless wiretapping.”

Maybe the use of a data broker like ChoicePoint (just as an example)?

Could there be one or two other options? Interesting . . .

Update: Or maybe it’s a CI effort (thanks Mac)

About the Author

Michael Tanji

Michael Tanji spent nearly 20 years in the US intelligence community. Trained in both SIGINT and HUMINT disciplines he has worked at the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and the National Reconnaissance Office. At various points in his career he served as an expert in information warfare, computer network operations, computer forensics, and indications and warning. A veteran of the US Army, Michael has served in both strategic and tactical assignments in the Pacific Theater, the Balkans, and the Middle East.