“The most direct legal challenge to the controversial program of warrantless National Security Agency wiretaps authorized by President George Bush after the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, hit a wall on Tuesday when the Supreme Court declined to review whether a group of plaintiffs represented by the American Civil Liberties Union have a right to sue the government.” (Source: Ars Technica)
I can’t say that I am a big fan of the wiretapping program. I agree with the American Civil Liberties Union in that it seems to me to be a violation of our privacy.
The good news however, is:
“Unaffected, however, are the suits that have been brought against telecom firms alleged to have cooperated in the NSA program—suits the White House is seeking to block by a legislative grant of retroactive immunity, which stalled in the House of Representatives last week.” (Source: Ars Technica)
I believe that the telecom companies that participated in the illegal wiretapping program should not be protected. They should be brought to trial and forced to make compensations. If for no other reason than to set an example that companies should not participate in illegal programs on behalf of anyone — including the government.
