RCN, the cable TV, Internet and phone provider released a statement today that the media, wrongly, is interpreting as RCN saying they didn't divulge any customer information to the NSA. For example, today's story from CNET:
RCN Corporation, which offers cable, phone and Internet services, released a statement Friday afternoon assuring its customers that it had not contributed to the NSA's reportedly vast database of Americans' phone call records.In fact, that's not what the RCN statement says at all.
RCN's statement says nothing at all about the company not giving its customer info to the NSA. The company's statement, which I will give you below, reiterates the same legal mumbo jumbo about not releasing any information without "legal process" that Verizon, AT&T, and BellSouth have used in attempt to cover up their massive betrayal of their customers' privacy. What is "legal process," the NSA saying it's legal? And besides that, RNC never says that they in fact did NOT turn over their customers' information.
Interestingly enough, the only part of the RCN press release that denies giving info the NSA is the title of the press release. The release itself says nothing of the kind. Here's the entire statement:
RCN Statement on Alleged National Security Agency's Warrantless Surveillance Program; Company Did Not Provide Info, Will Only Comply When Required by Legal ProcessAgain, the title says the company "did not provide info" - yet the company's statement says nothing of the kind which makes the title simply wrong, since title's per se reflect what is to follow.
HERNDON, Va., May 12, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- RCN Corporation (NASDAQ: RCNI), a leading provider of triple play cable, high-speed internet and phone services, provided a statement on the alleged National Security Agency's Warrantless Surveillance Program.
"We are committed to the privacy and confidentiality of our customers' personally identifiable information. RCN maintains a privacy policy under which RCN does not disclose such information unless disclosure is required by legal process," said Richard Ramlall, RCN's Senior Vice President, Strategic & External Affairs.
Specifically, the RCN privacy policy states: "RCN will consider personally identifiable information that is collected and kept about any person to be confidential and will disclose it to a third party only if ... (iii) disclosure is required pursuant to a request for specific customer information to comply with a Subpoena, Court Order, and/or other legal instrument, legal proceeding or relevant law, specifically as it pertains to the US Patriot Act.... "
RCN has not publicly denied its involvement with the NSA scandal.
