USA Today Backs Off On NSA Wiretaps

USA Today backs off from its 11 May claim that "several of America's leading telecommunications companies" were complicit in an NSA compilation of a "database of domestic phone call records in an effort to monitor terrorist activity."

The timeline presented by the paper raises questions about who knew what, both at USA Today and also at the telecos, BellSouth and Verizon.

One has to ask: what the devil happened with that original story? It's not like the paper sprung this on the company hours before the story broke. Why would the telecos decline to deny the story ... and follow up with a fairly vociforous denial? It makes no sense, that I can see. It seems too bizarre to think that these two firms colluded in order to give USA Today a black eye.

If you have a theory, please speak up! Read on for timeline details, confirmations from Congressmen and the resulting intra-party tiff between Sen. Specter and Vice President Cheney.

USA TODAY had spoken with BellSouth and Verizon for several weeks about the substance of the report. The day before the article was published, the reporter read the sections of the article concerning BellSouth and Verizon to representatives of the companies and asked for a denial before publication.

At the time, BellSouth did not deny participation in the program, but it issued a statement saying the company “does not provide any confidential customer information to the NSA or any government agency without proper legal authority.” Verizon said that it would not comment on national security matters and that it acts “in full compliance with the law” and with respect for customers' privacy.

Follow Up Confirmations
Nineteen Congressional intelligence committee members confirm that NSA has compiled a database, but several suggested its incompleteness is a weakness. AT&T remains silent on its role, although five Congressman fingered the telecom giant. Five Congressmen, including Rep. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) confirmed that the BellSouth denial "appears to be accurate" and that "[i]t probably would be better to have records of every telephone company." Four said that "MCI, the long-distance carrier that Verizon acquired in January, did provide call records to the government."

In-Party Fightiing
Vice President Cheney met with Republican leadership last month to counter a call by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) - Senate Judiciary Chair - to pull telecom executives before the committee. That resulted in a heated exchange of letters between Specter and Cheney.

Specter told USA Today that "I'm prepared to defer, on a temporary basis, calling in the telephone companies" because the White House "agreed to talks with Specter on [draft] legislation that would give the administration the option of putting the NSA's warrantless-surveillance program — which includes domestic wiretapping without a court warrant when one participant in a conversation is overseas — under the scrutiny of the FISA court."

Curious what happens when you place a phone call? Then be sure to check out the interactive associated with the USA Today story.

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