Your personal data may be part of a plan to prevent future terrorist attacks. But does it come at the cost of your privacy? The U.S. Government is requiring Verizon to turn over the records of millions of Americans.
Lawmakers are dialing up on fighting terrorism by using your phone records.
Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein says, “Terrorists will come after us if they can and the only thing we have to deter this is good intelligence.”
Legislators say looking at a three-month calling history of Verizon customers is vital for national security.
House Speaker, John Boehner says, “I trust the president will explain to the American people why the administration considers this a critical tool in protecting our nation from the threats of a terrorist attack.”
The move does not allow the government to listen to your telephone conversations. It will only retrieve data like your phone number or the length of your call.”
Fox 43 legal analyst, Steven Breit says, “We’re balancing whether or not the intrusion of your privacy would outweigh the detrimental impact of terror .”
Breit says the order falls under the Patriot Act. It authorizes the government to make demands on telephone carriers for information about calls. But if doesn’t give you much say.
“In most of your contracts with cell phone companies, there’s a provision in there that says the company must cooperate with any government agency,” says Breit.
Verizon says it complies with court orders and cannot comment further.