All telecommunications consumers are vulnerable to release of their personal information when using online services, says the Telecommunications Research & Action Center (TRAC), the nation's leading telecommunications-focused consumer group. As a result of a recent ruling in the case of RIAA v. Verizon, third parties potentially have the right to seize personal information of any consumer operating on the Internet without due process.

"Today, TRAC joins other consumer and privacy advocates in the fight to ensure online privacy," remarked Kate Dean, spokesperson for TRAC. "Consumers must feel secure when using the Internet, and allowing personal information to be distributed indiscriminately to third parties jeopardizes their confidence in online providers."

On January 21, a Washington D.C. District Court judge ruled against Verizon and ordered the company to turn over subscriber information of a customer suspected of downloading copyrighted music files to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Verizon is expected to appeal the decision in an effort to safeguard the personal information of their customers.

"This decision could have a chilling effect on the way we communicate online. TRAC is concerned that relinquishing personal information without legal safeguards will irrevocably harm consumers and ultimately the usefulness of online services." said Dean.

TRAC launched its advocacy into online issues in the Fall of 2002 with the National Consumers League and Consumer Action when fighting against the epidemic of unsolicited commercial email through their national "Ban the Spam" campaign. To date, the campaign has received over 4600 responses from consumers.

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