Telco it like it is

[mdlbear]

Telcos wish to deny mass snooping | The Register

Furthermore, both companies have said they "cannot confirm or deny" that they've got a relationship with the NSA. Now, trust a journo on this one: in the commercial world, and in the political world, whenever a flack can deny something that might be bad for trade, share values, or winning the election, they always deny it. "I cannot confirm or deny" always means, "I cannot deny". There are no exceptions to this rule outside the realm of legal constraints against commenting in any way (gag orders, etc).

The Reg. does a pretty good job of parsing the careful, contorted language that Verizon and BellSouth use in "denying" that they've given anything to the NSA. And I understand the Brooklyn Bridge is up for sale on eBay...