AT&T echoes Verizon with plans to publish reports on law enforcement data requests
Sometimes, peer pressure can be a beautiful thing. Just hours after Verizon said it would start publishing transparency reports, AT&T has followed suit with plans of its own. Big Blue will largely mirror its rival's moves and publish a semi-annual internet report that breaks down law enforcement requests by type, such as court orders. The initial study, due in early 2014, will summarize the telecom provider's 2013 data. We'd note that AT&T is reversing its attitude from just days earlier, when it was hostile toward shareholders that wanted a similar level of accountability. Still, we don't mind the contradiction if it brings more government surveillance activity to light -- even if it doesn't address thornier issues like warrantless wiretapping.
