If There's A Spy Among Us, Its Definitely Electronic
 Wednesday, April 15th, 2009  by Connie T.

Image via HughElectronic

The geniuses at wireless phone company Sprint may have outdone themselves by producing a new advertisement that could leave more people feeling uneasy than intrigued. The commercial reveals that over 200,000 people are currently sending an e-mail containing the words "miracle banana diet." Two million people are sending a text message during a business meeting, with their most popular subject being diapers.

Six thousand people, Sprint says, are researching restaurants from a taxi cab. Thirteen thousand people just landed on an airplane and are turning on their cell phones. It goes on:

At first glance this may seem like some fun trivia. And surely some of it is in jest; there is not a talking Boxer named (Hymie? Tiny?) being uploaded to YouTube at any given second, is there?. Yet delve a little deeper, and it may not be very far off from the research actually performed. The Now Network is serious about tracking down data: their website shows over 9 million people called off sick from work today, people are discussing dogs more than cats, how many 911 calls are being made, how much money is being spent online (currently at around $175,000), how many people are stuck in an elevator right now.

This brings up many questions, the answers to which are not provided, so we figured we'd ask. Here's what we sent off to Sprint, we'll let you know the response we receive.

As a wireless customer it is important to me that my communications company respects the privacy & security of their consumers.

1. I am aware that along with AT&T and Verizon, Sprint has honored wiretapping requests by the former Administration without warrants. Although the FISA Amendments Act provided ex post facto immunity to telecoms, it didn't ease the discomfort of customers whose privacy was infringed upon without due process. If the new administration, or future administrations, request illegal wiretapping of private citizens again, do you plan to comply with the requests without a judge's signature?

2. You have many statistics posted on your Now Network website, but there is no reference cited as to where the info came from. Did you compile it on your own or use other sources (if so, which ones)? Do you analyze all the personal and business communications of all of your customers? And how many employees are given unrestricted access to customer's e-mail correspondence?

3. Finally, how are people supposed to feel like private citizens with their movements from taxis to elevators to work and back home all broadcast in national commercials?

Thanks!

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