Firm moves to reassure customers in wake of US reports

US operator Verizon Communications has issued a statement in response to US press articles suggesting that it, together with AT &T and BellSouth, gave the NSA access to customers' phone records in the wake of the 2001 terror attacks.

“The President has referred to an NSA programme, which he authorised, directed against al-Qaeda. Because that programme is highly classified, Verizon cannot comment on that programme, nor can we confirm or deny whether we have had any relationship to it,” the company said.

However, it went on to say that there have been factual errors in press coverage about the way Verizon handles customer information in general. “Verizon puts the interests of our customers first and has a longstanding commitment to vigorously safeguard our customers' privacy.”

The firm added that it will provide customer information to a government agency only where authorised by law for appropriately-defined and focused purposes: “When information is provided, Verizon seeks to ensure it is properly used for that purpose and is subject to appropriate safeguards against improper use.

“Verizon does not, and will not, provide any government agency unfettered access to our customer records or provide information to the government under circumstances that would allow a fishing expedition,” the company said.

Qwest Communications has also been named as one of the targets for the NSA eavesdropping project. However, the company is understood to have been the only one to reject the NSA’s request.