p2p news / p2pnet: AT&T should be prevented from, "violating the law and the privacy of its customers by disclosing to the government the contents of its customers’ communications, as part of the National Security Agency’s (NSA’s) massive and illegal program to wiretap and data-mine Americans’ communications," says the EFF.

With that in mind, it yesterday filed a motion for a preliminary injunction in its class-action lawsuit against AT&T.

"However, much of the evidence that was to be included in the motion - as well as the legal arguments based on that evidence - was held back temporarily at the request of the Department of Justice (DOJ)," says the EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation).

"While the government is not a party to the case, DOJ attorneys told EFF that even providing the evidence under seal to the court - a well-established procedure that prohibits public access and permits only the judge and the litigants to see the evidence - might not be sufficient security."

The foundation wants to publicly release the preliminary injunction motion and supporting documents, "and hopes to have redacted versions available after further discussions with the government".

"AT&T’s wholesale diversion of communications into the hands of the NSA violates federal wiretapping laws and the Fourth Amendment," states EFF Staff Attorney Kevin Bankston.

"More than just threatening individuals’ privacy, AT&T’s shameful choice to allow the government to spy on millions of ordinary Americans’ communications is a threat to the Constitution itself. We are asking the Court to put a stop to it now."

Also See:
EFF - EFF Motion in AT&T Surveillance Case Draws Government’s Eye, March 31, 2006

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 1st, 2006 at 1:12 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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