New York Bill Bans Call Records Sale.

In the latest wrinkle surrounding online brokers of user call data (TelecomWeb news break, Feb. 13), legislation to ban the access and sale of telephone customer calling records and also hold carriers accountable has been introduced into the New York State Assembly.

The proposed bill - introduced by Democratic Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and Republican state Senator Martin Golden who represent the party majorities in both houses - imposes civil penalties on persons convicted of stealing and selling phone records and allow those whose information was sold to sue for damages.

The measure reportedly already has more than 20 co-sponsors ad its passage is being given a good chance at the state capitol in Albany; there is also support for the measure from consumer and public interests groups as well as Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile.

Significantly, the measure would prohibit carriers from releasing personal telephone account records to anyone except account holders in order to prevent third parties from selling the records, with the exception of authorization by court order .The law would apply to mobile wireless cellular, land line, satellite and Internet Protocol telephony activities.

``The technology is moving far faster than the checks and balances across the nation, but this is one check we should have in place,'' said Golden, a former New York City police officer, concerning Web sites that sell the records.

Shock over the Internet call details business has prompted other state legislators to look into possible bills, state attorneys general and carriers to file suits, drafting of bills in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to make such transactions explicitly illegal and deepening investigations and/or regulatory proceedings by the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Meanwhile, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce said federal investigators have identified individuals behind 22 Web pages that may offer criminals, stalkers and any other paying customer the detailed records of private telephone calls. Its

Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee is sending out additional letters to the individuals demanding that the companies provide information about business.

For a more comprehensive look at this story, read Telecom Policy Report. For a trial subscription to Telecom Policy Report, please go to http://www.telecomweb.com/cgi/catalog/trial?TPR.

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