CCIA CEO Slams White House On Telecom Immunity

File Under: News, Telecommunications, Privacy

Feb 21, 2008

Washington D.C. – Ed Black, President and CEO of the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA), is prepared to publicly challenge the Administration’s claims that the failure to renew the “Protect America Act” without adding amnesty for Big Telecom companies has now placed Americans in danger.

“The President’s claims are inaccurate and intentionally misleading,” Black said. “ Assuming it is true that the expiration of the “Protect America Act” would place Americans in danger, it is not true that the inclusion of a new RETROACTIVE immunity provision for presumed illegal domestic spying by major telecommunications companies is necessary, and allowing the law to lapse in order to prevent the truth from coming out in pending lawsuits means the President has chosen the secrecy, cover-up, and the safety of these companies over that of the security of the American people.” Further, it is an insult to most in our industry that implies we are not law abiding, and would fail to patriotically meet our legal obligations to cooperate with the government without retroactive immunity.

    What: President and CEO of the Computer and Communications Industry Association, Ed Black is available to speak out against the Administration and telecommunications companies participating in domestic surveillance program.
    Who: Ed Blank, President and CEO of the Computer and Communications Industry Association

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