Reasons abound for security protocol surrounding cell phone records at the major carriers. Consumers just don't like hearing about privacy breaches. But as the presidential office moves into the wired age, for the first time a President-elect is a red flag going off in Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ)'s face.A personal cell phone account owned by Barack Obama (but that has been inactive for several months) was confirmed to have been accessed by "several" of Verizon's employees -- all of whom have been placed on administrative paid leave pending an internal investigation into which did so for a good reason.
While it's easy to imagine the thrill that might accompany viewing the phone calls of the President-elect (how many minutes to that number in Chappaqua, New York in June?), it's also easy to imagine the potential damage that could arise from such illegal access, both to Obama (or any candidate) and to the trust the public places in its cell phone carriers. Verizon is right to have taken action and made the news public; but the company should have put more preventative measures in place to ensure its sensitive customers' data was secure.
Obama Making History
Barack Obama made history by becoming America's first African-American president. Which of these other prominent African-Americans did NOT run for president before him?
- Jesse Jackson
- Colin Powell
- Al Sharpton
Obama is the first sitting senator to win the presidency since John F. Kennedy. How many have there been total?
- 4
- 6
- 8
Malia and Sasha Obama will be the new first daughters come January. Sasha will be the youngest child in the White House since ___ lived there.
- Chelsea Clinton
- Amy Carter
- Caroline Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr.
Obama is the first Democratic presidential candidate since ___ to win Virginia.
- Bill Clinton
- Jimmy Carter
- Lyndon Johnson
True or false: Obama will be the first U.S. president born outside the continental U.S.
- True
- False
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)
11-21-2008 @ 9:06AM
Virgil Bierschwale said...
Your data is readily viewable to ANYBODY that works in the departments that use the data.
That could be operations, development, etc..
Imagine all of the data that is being viewed by our offshore people in India.
Oops, that is right, I just heard yesterday that India is offshoring to Vietnam because India people are getting too expensive..
Makes me wonder who is viewing your data today
Virgil
http://www.KeepAmericaAtWork.com
11-21-2008 @ 2:24PM
Rod said...
He's about as much african american as I am, and I'm white.
11-21-2008 @ 2:35PM
Sam said...
Nothing is private any longer. Any information kept in a database - your phone records, bank statements, medical records is up for grabs. That's the reality and anyone that thinks otherwise is mistaken.
11-21-2008 @ 2:46PM
Big D said...
If Obama had been a Repub, you can bet that his cel records would have been mysteriously released on the web for all to see.
11-21-2008 @ 2:46PM
mike said...
it was ok for watergate but the dummacraps are in power now
11-21-2008 @ 2:47PM
redclayreturns said...
what a truly lame story.
11-21-2008 @ 2:57PM
fredrick said...
I thought this was funny "but the company should have put more preventative measures in place to ensure its sensitive customers' data was secure."
Just because he is the president elect they worry bout hs phone records? What if it was my phone records doubt if it would have received any airtime. Again the common man is shown his place in the food chain.
11-21-2008 @ 3:01PM
cher said...
This is news or gossip or what? I just wasted 2 minutes of my time reading absolutely nothing about nothing. Evidently Sarah Palin didn't trip or make a (horror of horrors) personal phone call from her office today for the scandal pages.
11-21-2008 @ 3:03PM
deb said...
Obama was saying sweet nothings with clinton...lol
11-21-2008 @ 3:05PM
Angel said...
You Racists just dont get it...Obama WON!!!!Join the rest of the country or get the hell out!!!
11-21-2008 @ 3:07PM
GMann01 said...
Wonder how Obama likes a dose of what George Bush been doing to the rest of America while he was stomping on our Consitiutional Rights....Maybe now the domestic spying might get thrown out for good !!! Remember the Government can only do what the people will let them get away with !!!!
11-21-2008 @ 3:07PM
GMann01 said...
I wonder if any calls to el quida will be made public ???
11-21-2008 @ 3:08PM
Etohdoc said...
Hey Obama. When are you going to take a drug test. He was probably calling his drug dealer at tax payers expense.
11-21-2008 @ 3:11PM
MISSY said...
I wish I had worked for the company, I would be able to right a book and give Michelle a signed one. I bet Mamma Bella would love to hear what was said and to whom.
11-21-2008 @ 3:11PM
DonnaT said...
How come white folks like the racist twit Steve are always trying to subscribe fried chicken and the Psychi Network to African-Americans?
I just drove by a Church's Chicken and a KFC and nothing but white folks were in there! LOL!
...as for psychis...didn't Nancy Reagan consult with them while her precious Ronnie was in the White House?
Me think the racist twit Steve has gotten it ALL WRONG - but coming from him - what else would be NEW.
11-21-2008 @ 3:21PM
SEBASTIEN said...
it is written in the bible, that in general, more premisquess,nosy,not liking other races,fighting with words,fighting,and the rest. believe you me,time is to close to call.the christian's some also hate, are working hard to make heaven thier home. you may laugh, just wait till it happens.....
11-21-2008 @ 3:23PM
chris j saari said...
i could care less who he calls.
but i'd love to all the phone records for
george warmonger bush and his band of
neo-nazi friends.
11-21-2008 @ 3:26PM
Dee Deee said...
First of all, this kind of intrusion into anyone's private information is asinine!
Secondly, Obama will be our president no matter how many bigoted comments are made.
And third, people - PLEASE - learn how to spell. You might want to seek an education before you start judging and being so critical of others!
Just my 2 cents.
11-21-2008 @ 3:32PM
FFLOUI said...
Lets all grow up nothing is secure if you believe this bunk your not in the modern days of the hackers and snoops. Not one communcations product is unable to be broken in to by those who want information bad enough if you believe this isnt so check on how many cell phone usedrs in this nation have been hacked and had information used to get access to bank accounts and had strange communicatons billls added to there monthly syayements
11-21-2008 @ 3:33PM
Kat said...
When did we wake up in cuba? When did we not be able to speak our minds? I mean the people on this posting that are attacked for saying what they are thinking.
Also you should thank your lucky stars that the government was listening to cell phone calls. That is what kept you safe! They can listen to any of my cell phone calls. Anyone that objects to the government listening has something to hide.