Congress Works To Outlaw The Pre-Text Pretense
Friday, March 09, 2007JEFF YASTINE: Congress hit the re-dial button today on efforts to end the practice known as pre-texting. That's when someone lies to get your phone records. Lawmakers tried to end the practice in the last Congress, but couldn't overcome concerns from intelligence agencies and phone companies. Now the House Energy and Commerce Committee is trying again to pass tighter controls on phone records. Darren Gersh reports.
DARREN GERSH, NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT CORRESPONDENT: Pre-texting has touched a nerve on Capitol Hill and lawmakers are determined to make it illegal to lie to get someone else's phone records. Congressman Edward Markey says those records are too personal to go unprotected.
REP. EDWARD MARKEY (D) MASSACHUSETTS: This information can be embarrassing, awkward and uncomfortable for a consumer. It can be dangerous when it's in the hands of stalkers, thieves, abusers and others who intend to do harm.
GERSH: As Congress moves to make pre-texting illegal, telecom companies complain the proposed new law would shut down their marketing operations. The new legislation would still let wireless and telephone companies use call records to sell new services to their existing customers. But, they would have to get customers to agree in advance before sharing calling records with third party and other so-called outward marketing partners. Walter McCormick, CEO of the U.S. Telecom Association says that opt-in provision would put an unfair burden on his industry.
WALTER MCCORMICK, CEO, UNITED STATES TELECOM ASSOCIATION: That information for being able to market outward has never been used for pre- texting. There is not any case whatsoever where there has ever been an inappropriate use of that information that has violated the privacy of an individual for outward marketing purposes.
GERSH: Privacy activist Marc Rotenberg says protecting consumers is more important than helping marketers.
MARC ROTENBERG, PRESIDENT, ELECTRONIC PRIVACY INFORMATION CENTER: I think the specific concern here, which the bill appropriately addresses, is that the companies take advantage of access to this detailed information and use that as part of their marketing determination and that's where I think we need a stronger safeguard.
GERSH: Both Democrats and Republicans agree it's now time to close the Internet cyber-bizarre where it is possible to buy records on who someone calls, when they call and for how long they talk. Darren Gersh, NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT, Washington.
