ACLU calls for investigation of phone companies

Nevada's American Civil Liberties Union has joined 20 other ACLU affiliates in calling for investigations into whether phone companies violated privacy laws by handing over call records to the National Security Agency.

"We're asking the Public Utilities Commission to investigate whether there were violations of state law and urging the commission to issue a cease-and-desist order," said Laura Mijanovich, northern coordinator for Nevada's ACLU.

"It's time for this illegal invasion of privacy that could affect everyone in this country to be unveiled," said Gary Peck executive director for ACLU of Nevada.

Mijanovich said ACLU of Nevada filed formal complaints against Verizon, AT&T and their subsidiaries in Nevada asking the PUC to investigate whether any violations of Nevada phone customer rights occurred.

"If true, this is an outrageous, massive violation of people's rights to privacy," she said. "There are laws to prevent the government from prying into people's lives without probable cause."

Peck said ACLU has no intent to obstruct legitimate law enforcement activities.

The national ACLU simultaneously filed a similar letter with the Federal Communications Commission urging the agency to reconsider its refusal to investigate the reports at least three national telecommunications companies cooperated with NSA by providing them millions of phone customer calling records.

• Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.