SoylentNews

mendax writes:

The New York Times published a story today that confirms what has long been suspected, AT&T was not just one of the means by which the NSA did its domestic eavesdropping, it was a willing partner:

The National Security Agency’s ability to spy on vast quantities of Internet traffic passing through the United States has relied on its extraordinary, decades-long partnership with a single company: the telecom giant AT&T.

While it has been long known that American telecommunications companies worked closely with the spy agency, newly disclosed N.S.A. documents show that the relationship with AT&T has been considered unique and especially productive. One document described it as “highly collaborative,” while another lauded the company’s “extreme willingness to help.”

AT&T’s cooperation has involved a broad range of classified activities, according to the documents, which date from 2003 to 2013. AT&T has given the N.S.A. access, through several methods covered under different legal rules, to billions of emails as they have flowed across its domestic networks. It provided technical assistance in carrying out a secret court order permitting the wiretapping of all Internet communications at the United Nations headquarters, a customer of AT&T.

The article ends with a curious statement from an AT&T spokesman:

“We do not voluntarily provide information to any investigating authorities other than if a person’s life is in danger and time is of the essence,” Brad Burns, an AT&T spokesman, said. He declined to elaborate.

I think his nose grew a few inches after telling that whopper.

This story is the latest revelation out of the cache of goodies taken from the NSA by Edward Snowden. I am drooling with anticipation at the next tidbit.

Also submitted by Phoenix666 and takyon

Original Submission