In June of 2009, a federal judge dismissed Hepting and dozens of other lawsuits against telecoms, ruling that the companies had immunity from liability under the controversial Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Amendments Act, which was enacted in response to court victories in Hepting. Signed by President Bush in 2008, the FISAAA allows the attorney general to require the dismissal of the lawsuits over the telecoms’ participation in the warrantless surveillance program if the government secretly certifies to the court that the surveillance did not occur, was legal, or was authorized by the president—certification that was filed in September of 2008.
Posting:
Why is the Hepting v. AT&T case crucial to the long-term posture of how the U.S. government can or cannot review consumer confidential information?
If Hepting v. AT&T results in “Big Brother” being allowed to eavesdrop and/or review the local and toll telephone dialing and bills of individuals, will U.S. citizens and consumers have any privacy rights left regarding use of communication technologies?
What are the information systems security implications of consumer information being shared?
Submission:
