US Telecom Firms to be Questioned by Senators on Phone Records

• All three telecom companies received subpoenas for phone records as part of Jack Smith's investigation, which targeted several Republican senators who supported efforts to overturn the 2020 election
• AT&T and Verizon announced new procedures including identifying all congressional phone numbers (not just official ones) and requiring senior leadership notification before disclosing member data to law enforcement
• The underlying criminal case against Trump was dropped after his 2024 election victory due to Justice Department policy against prosecuting sitting presidents, though Smith stated evidence would have been sufficient for conviction

Summary: US Telecom Firms Face Senate Scrutiny Over Congressional Phone Records

Key Development:

Legal representatives from AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile testified before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee on February 10 regarding their disclosure of senators' phone records to federal prosecutors. The controversy stems from FBI subpoenas issued during Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation into the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack and efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Key Facts:

• Phone data ("toll records") from eight senators' devices were obtained by the FBI, disclosed in an October 2023 document
• All three major carriers complied with subpoenas from Smith's investigation into former President Trump
• The case against Trump was ultimately dropped after his 2024 election victory, citing DOJ policy against prosecuting sitting presidents

Company Responses:

• AT&T: Developing procedures to identify all congressional phone numbers, including personal devices, to better protect privacy going forward
• Verizon: Acknowledged compliance with law but pledged improvements, including senior leadership notification for lawmaker-related requests and challenging non-disclosure orders in court
• T-Mobile: Defended its actions as legally compliant, noting subpoenas didn't target Senate business lines

Political Context:

Democrats noted many Republican senators whose records were sought had supported Trump's election challenges. Smith stated his gathered evidence would have been sufficient for conviction had the case proceeded to trial.

Market Implications:

The hearing underscores growing regulatory scrutiny of telecom companies' data practices and privacy protections, particularly regarding sensitive government communications.