Wiretapping documents fuel privacy watchdogs

Wired News only fueled the ongoing blogging by impassioned privacy watchdogs Monday when it published leaked court documents related to a lawsuit alleging AT&T illegally cooperated with the National Security Agency in its wiretap operations.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation filed the class action suit in January based on documents provided by former AT&T technician and whistleblower Mark Klein. Those , which describe "a secret room" inside a company facility that concealed "computer gear for a government spy operation," are sealed in court and the matter of much debate: The EFF said they should be made entirely public and AT&T argued they should be returned because they contain confidential information.

In deciding to publish documents, Wired News sided with the EFF. "The public's right to know the full facts in this case outweighs AT&T's claims to secrecy," said Editor in Chief Evan Hansen.

Blog community response:

"Quick! Grab the full PDF here, before it gets taken down!! And heyÂ…since this document was published lawfully, it would follow that it is lawful for people to distribute it also. So print up lots of copies and leave them in public places. Put this PDF on CDs and pass them out on the street corner. Mail a copy to AT&T . Have fun while you can!"
--Hactivismo

"This is potentially groundshaking to the Bush administration (although, how many times have we said that before and nothing has happened, really?). The extent to which this administration is prepared to go in order to invade the privacy rights of ordinary Americans (and the rest of the world) online is nothing short of jaw-dropping."
--Greg's Blog

"This isn't just the government or AT&T invading your privacy. This is part of a larger tendency of those in power to refuse to distinguish between corporate and government power. If AT&T has set up a room only for the use of government spies, then not only are they undermining your basic right not to be searched without a warrant but they are basically acting like an arm of the government."
--Pandagon