Good thing we installed that intricate secret network of tin cans and string. Reports USA TODAY:

“The National Security Agency has been secretly collecting the phone call records of tens of millions of Americans, using data provided by AT&T, Verizon and BellSouth, people with direct knowledge of the arrangement told USA TODAY.

The NSA program reaches into homes and businesses across the nation by amassing information about the calls of ordinary Americans — most of whom aren’t suspected of any crime. This program does not involve the NSA listening to or recording conversations. But the spy agency is using the data to analyze calling patterns in an effort to detect terrorist activity, sources said in separate interviews.”

The only company that declined to participate was Qwest. Every other major telco was more than happy to sell their phone records to the feds.

Read more at USA TODAY, your one-stop source for hard-hitting investigative coverage. Gee, could such a big story leak be politically motivated? (Thanks to Kos and Matthew for the link!)

If you would like to complain or switch service providers, here’s a lil compendium of numbers and websites to do so.

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.