In re: R.I. ACLU Complaint
Against Verizon and AT&T
RIGHT TO PRIVACY. (2006-2008)
This is an administrative complaint filed with the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, seeking an investigation as to whether the two phone companies violated state law by providing telephone customer information to the National Security Agency without either a warrant or notice to customers. The phone companies filed a motion to dismiss, and the parties agreed to a stay of proceedings pending a court decision in California in a case considering whether federal law preempts complaints such as this. As the result of passage of a federal law granting telecommunications companies immunity from suit for cooperating with the NSA, the complaint was voluntarily dismissed. Cooperating Attorney: John McConnell, Jr.
Documents
Complaint with the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers
ACLU’s Analysis of the Bill’s Immunity Provisions.
Letter in Defense of the Phone Companies, Signed by Attorney General Lynch
News Release
May 24, 2006 -- RI ACLU Files Complaint About Phone Companies' Cooperation With Federal Spy Agency
June 19, 2006 -- Phone Companies Plead "National Security" in Response to RI ACLU Complaint About Record-Sharing With Federal Spy Agency
January 14, 2008 -- ACLU Criticizes Attorney General For Defending Phone Companies Over Consumers in Privacy Battle
Providence, RI 02903