Verizon Could Face Tough Penalties for Illegal Wiretapping Efforts

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Verizon Could Face Tough Penalties for Illegal Wiretapping Efforts

7:15 am on May 16, 2006 | Category: Business, Telecom Services, Telephone, Law

US telecom giant, Verizon Communications, is beginning to feel the consequences of cooperating with illegal government spying operations.

Two New Jersey lawyers have filed a lawsuit against the company, on behalf of all of its customers, due to recent reports that it and several other companies helped the government create a massive database of telephone calls made by ordinary, law-abiding Americans.

The lawyers say that by cooperating, Verizon was violating citizens’ rights to privacy that are enshrined in the Constitution, as well as the federal Telecommunications Act.

“The Telecommunications Act of 1934 is as clear as clear can be,” plaintiff Carl Mayer said. “You can’t turn over the records of your customers and if you do so it’s $1,000 per violation. The Constitution is very clear. The Supreme Court has consistently held that the Fourth Amendment prevents unlawful searches and seizures which we believe this to be.”

Verizon has a total of 50 million customers, meaning that it could potentially be on the hook for as much as $50 billion. Although the case will almost certainly be settled for much less than that, it is good to see that privacy advocates are sticking up against companies that violate the rights of consumers.