The Right Call on Phone Records

Posted May 13, 2006, 1:58 p.m.

Following recent news (first reported in USA Today) that the National Security Agency (NSA) is collecting some phone records, only Richard A. Falkenrath seems to be talking any sense. His article, which appeared in this morning’s edition of the Post, is a clear explanation of the program, why it’s necessary, and why it is almost certainly legal—despite a lot of congressional blather to the contrary.

How is it legal? Well, the data collected in the program is volunteered by three phone companies and stripped of user-identifiable information per current telecom laws. The NSA did not compel the companies to provide anything (in fact, Qwest chose not to participate) and the entire program fits within the context of preexisting law.

With the domestic wiretapping issue earlier, I at least get the controversy (as that plan would likely be illegal in peacetime). This new controversy makes no sense at all.

The Right Call on Phone Records (Washington Post; free registration may be required).

Scott Bradford is a writer and technologist who has been putting his opinions online since 1995. He believes in three inviolable human rights: life, liberty, and property. He is a Catholic Christian who worships the trinitarian God described in the Nicene Creed. Scott is a husband, nerd, pet lover, and AMC/Jeep enthusiast with a B.S. degree in public administration from George Mason University.

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