Yahoo recently sent
correspondence to US Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper following the brouhaha that ensued from media disclosures alleging that the company scanned emails to curb terrorist activity in the country.
“We appreciate the need for confidentiality in certain aspects of investigations involving public safety or national security; however, transparency is critical to ensure accountability and in this context must disclose how and under what set of circumstances the US government uses specific legal authorities…to obtain private information about individuals’ online activities or private communication,” Yahoo’s legal counsel wrote.
The company further asserted that it is unable to clarify speculations because it is prohibited by current laws, which “significantly constrain and severely punish” companies’ ability “to speak for themselves.”
“(Transparency) is not merely a Yahoo issue. Transparency underpins the ability of any company in the information and communications technology to earn and preserve the trust of its customers,” the letter further said.
The negative press following the email scanning issue has also affected a potential $4.8 billion deal with telecommunications company Verizon.
Reports say the company got cold feet and asked for a $1 billion discount following negative publicity that dragged Yahoo’s name in the middle of data breach and privacy intrusion issues.
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