I Contacted Verizon about the NSA program...

Out of some sense of sheer, morbid curiosity, I contacted Verizon about their involvement in the NSA warrantless wiretapping program.

Why, you ask? What good would that do, you may wonder. Well, after thinking about Verizon and Bell South's denial(and the fact that they didn't deny anything for five weeks before USA Today made their report back in May), one question came to mind:

Why didn't Verizon and Bell South deny USA Today's report back when USA Today contacted them about it five weeks before it was published? Wouldn't it have made more sense to deny it then if they weren't involved?

So I asked Verizon that question. Here is their response:

Dear Verizon Customer,

Thank you for contacting the Verizon eCenter. My name is Belinda, and
I will be handling your request today.

This message is in response to your email dated July 7, 2006. You
inquired about the National Security Agency (NSA) news article. I
will be happy to assist you.

I can understand why you are concerned, but on May 16th Verizon
issued a categorical statement that these reports are false. You can
find our press release at:

http://newscenter.verizon.com/proactive/newsroom/release.vtml?id=93450

As explained in that release, neither Verizon's wireline or wireless
companies provided customer phone records or call data from those
records to the NSA. We realize we have duties to our country and to
our customers, and the two are not in conflict. When asked for help,
we will always make sure that any assistance is authorized by law and
that our customers' privacy is safeguarded. We appreciate the
continuing opportunity to provide you with service.

It has been my goal to resolve your reason for contacting us. I hope
I have succeeded in meeting that goal. If you have additional
questions or if we may be of assistance to you in the future, please
let us know. We look forward to serving you.

Thank you for using Verizon. We appreciate your business.

Sincerely,
Belinda
Verizon eCenter

...Which didn't answer my question at all.

So I emailed them again.

Here's mine:

I received a response from you guys about my question about your role in the NSA program, and I'm not sure if it answered my question...

You guys made the press release denying your involvement in the program on May 16th, after May 11th, the day that USA Today reported it. However, USA Today says that they contacted you guys and Bell South five weeks before May 11th, and that you guys didn't deny your involvement then.

So how come you guys didn't deny your involvement in the program before May 11th, when you had ample time to, but are only doing so now?

I'm not trying to be rude or anything, I just need to know.

And their response?

Dear -NAME OMITTED FOR OBVIOUS REASONS-

Thank you for your email response. I cannot comment any further on
this matter.

Thank you for using Verizon. We appreciate your business.

Sincerely,
Belinda
Verizon eCenter

Not surprising, really. Oh well, what are you gonna do?

Make of this what you will, readers.