Documents obtained by the
Electronic
Frontier Foundation (EFF) claim to show that US telco
AT&T
allowed the
National
Security Agency (NSA) to set up a 'secret room' in its offices to monitor
internet traffic.
The documents were handed over as part of an EFF legal case against AT&T
for alleged violation of user privacy. The US government has asked the courts to
dismiss the case, claiming that the lawsuit could expose state secrets.
"The district court rejected the government's attempt to sweep this case
under the rug," said EFF senior staff attorney Kurt Opsahl.
"This country has a long tradition of open court proceedings, and we are
pleased that, as we present our case to the Court of Appeals, the millions of
affected AT&T customers will be able to see our arguments and evidence and
judge for themselves."
The room, described as secret and secure, houses surveillance equipment used
to spy on AT&T customers. Investigations could include web use, email and
voice communications.
"This is critical evidence supporting our claim that AT&T is cooperating
with the NSA in the illegal dragnet surveillance of millions of ordinary
Americans," said EFF legal director Cindy Cohn.
"This surveillance is under debate in Congress and across the nation, as well
as in the courts.
"The public has a right to see these important documents, the declarations
from our witnesses and our legal arguments, and we are very pleased to release
them."
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