[Full-disclosure] Privacy at Verizon, Hawaiian Telcom and The Carlyle Group?

[Jason Coombs <jasonc@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The following notice appeared in my phone bill in Hawaii recently.

As far as I can tell, "The Carlyle Group" is what you would expect it to 
be if you've watched Fahrenheit 9/11...

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Carlyle+Group

How likely is it that The Carlyle Group will comply with privacy laws 
when we know that nobody else does, and what law is it exactly that 
prevents The Carlyle Group from offshoring all Hawaiian Telcom customer 
and call data, and then losing control of that data "by accident" in a 
foreign country that has no such laws but a nice supply of third-parties 
interested in paying for such data?

Regards,

Jason Coombs
jasonc@xxxxxxxxxxx

--

Hawaiian Telcom

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission is currently reviewing an 
application for transfer of control of Verizon's telephone properties in 
Hawaii from Verizon to The Carlyle Group. The transfer will take place 
between March 31, 2005 and May 31, 2005 (the "transfer date"), subject 
to the Commission's approval. On that same date, also subject to 
Commission approval, Verizon Long Distance customers in Hawaii will 
become customers of Hawaiian Telcom Long Distance. The Carlyle Group is 
working closely with Verizon to ensure that the transfer of control goes 
smoothly and without service interruption to any customers. Your local 
telephone number will NOT change as a result of the transfer.

There are several aspects of the transition that we would like to advise 
you of at this time:

* As of the transfer date, Hawaiian Telcom will automatically become 
your service provider for any services you currently receive from 
Verizon Hawaii, including local telephone service and inter-island toll 
service, if you have selected Verizon Hawaii as your inter-island toll 
provider, unless you select another provider before that date. In 
addition, if you currently have Verizon Long Distance as your carrier 
for inter-island toll, interstate toll, and/or international calling, 
Hawaiian Telcom Long Distance will become your provider for these 
services as of the transfer date, unless you select another provider 
before the transfer date. You always have the right to select another 
provider of any of these services if you wish to do so and another 
provider is available. There will be no change to the provider of any 
service you receive from a carrier other than Verizon Hawaii or Verizon 
Long Distance as a result of the transfer.

* Hawaiian Telcom and/or Hawaiian Telcom Long Distance will convert your 
service at no cost to you. If you have a preferred carrier "freeze" on 
any of the services being transferred, the freeze will be lifted before 
the transfer. In order to reinstate a preferred carrier freeze, you must 
contact Hawaiian Telcom after the transfer.

* With the exception of the two groups of customers described in the 
next paragraph, Hawaiian Telcom and/or Hawaiian Telcom Long Distance 
will provide services to you under the same rates, terms, and conditions 
offered by Verizon Hawaii and/or Verizon Long Distance prior to the 
transfer. You will be notified of any future changes to these items by 
mail or in your bill.

* Two groups of customers will experience changes in rates, terms and 
conditions as a result of the transfer: (1) Verizon Long Distance 
SmartTouch Plan customers; and (2) Verizon Long Distance calling card 
customers who do not have Verizon Long Distance as their presubscribed 
(i.e., dial 1) long distance carrier. (Note that Verizon Long Distance 
calling card customers who have Verizon Long Distance as their 
presubscribed long distance carrier will not experience a change in 
rates, terms and conditions for calling card services.) These two groups 
of customers will receive a separate notification describing in detail 
the changes to rates, terms and conditions as a result of the transfer.

* Until the actual transfer date, Verizon will continue to be 
responsible for all customer service and billing issues. You should 
contact Verizon with any complaints or other customer service inquiries 
you may have prior to the transfer. After the transfer date, you should 
refer your questions to Hawaiian Telcom and/or Hawaiian Telcom Long 
Distance.

The changes described above are subject to Commission approval of the 
application to transfer control of the Verizon telephone properties.

We appreciate your understanding and support during this transition 
period. If you have any questions, our toll-free customer contact 
numbers are (877) 483-5305 for residential customers and (800) 483-5000 
for business customers. Business customers can also contact their 
account manager.

GT023405HI
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