ACLU is launching nationwide "don't spy on me" campaign.

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Barry Steinhardt <BSTEINHARDT () aclu org>
Date: May 24, 2006 12:51:28 PM EDT
To: dave () farber net
Subject: ACLU is launching nationwide "don't spy on me" campaign.


Dave,

IP readers may be interested to know that the ACLU is launching a  
nationwide consumer campaign today to respond to the recent  
revelations about the telecoms and NSA spying.  We are:

A) asking the FCC to fulfill its regulatory obligation and  
investigate (Chairman Martin's lame argument that they cannot do so  
notwithstanding)

B) ACLU offices around the country are filing demands with Public  
Utility Commissions, which often have considerable power to enforce  
state privacy laws, asking for investigations and cease-and-desist  
actions.

C) Inviting citizens to add their names to these actions, and making  
it easy to do so via www.aclu.org/dontspy

Our appeal is below.

Thanks,

Barry

------
Barry Steinhardt
Director, Technology and Liberty Project, ACLU


Dear Friend,

It's illegal and un-American for your phone company to hand over your  
phone records to the government without a legal order. But it looks  
like that's just what they're doing: violating the privacy and rights  
of millions of innocent Americans in the process.

The phone companies have no right to forfeit your privacy. And just  
last night we learned that the FCC has refused to investigate these  
illegal actions, using the same "state secrets" excuse used by the  
very phone companies it's supposed to hold accountable.

Today, the ACLU is launching a nationwide consumer campaign demanding  
that regulators do their jobs and protect our privacy. We need your  
help.

<Act now to stop phone companies from abusing your privacy.>  
<www.aclu.org/dontspy>

It's outrageous that the agency created to guard the people's  
interest is burying its head in the sand during what may be the most  
massive abuse of customer privacy in American history.

We can't stand idly by while corporations, federal regulators and  
even our elected leaders fail to champion our rights or uphold our  
basic system of checks and balances. The power to right these wrongs  
ultimately resides in the hands of the American people.

The ACLU is filing formal documents with the Federal Communications  
Commission (FCC) insisting that they fulfill their regulatory  
obligation and investigate this breach of consumer trust. At the same  
time, ACLU offices across the country are filing similar demands with  
regulatory authorities in dozens of states.

Regulators need to hear that the public demands action. The longer  
the list of names, the more powerful our message. Federal and state  
officials must use their authority to investigate and fine the phone  
companies, and your voice will make a difference.

Act now to stop phone companies from abusing your privacy.

We must not allow the government and the phone companies to collude  
in this massive illegal attack on our privacy and our trust.

And we certainly can't wait for Congress to act, or for the phone  
companies to reverse course.

Join us in telling the FCC that we won't take no for an answer --  
they must investigate. And don't let the states follow the FCC's  
wrong-headed example. We are simultaneously filing 20 actions across  
the nation TODAY.

Please add your name and your voice. All you have to do is use our  
online form. We'll add your name to our demand for FCC action and to  
local filings in applicable states. After you sign on, you can also  
send an email directly to each of the four FCC commissioners letting  
them know Americans want answers and action.

Act now to stop phone companies from abusing your privacy.

As always, thank you for standing with us. Every voice in this fight  
is going to matter, so please take action today.

Sincerely,

Anthony D. Romero
Executive Director
ACLU


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