The federal legislation that will criminalize unauthorized access to telephone customer data is steaming toward passage. HR 4709, Telephone Records and Privacy Protection Act of 2006
passed the House by 409 to 0, with 23 representatives not voting. I’d say that the Senate will move this with little fanfare.

The bill is unambiguous in defining the covered activity and roles.

…whoever, in interstate or foreign commerce, knowingly and intentionally purchases or receives, or attempts to purchase or receive, confidential phone records information of a covered entity, without prior authorization from the customer to whom such confidential phone records information relates, or knowing or having reason to know such information was obtained fraudulently, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than years, or both.

HR 4943, Prevention of Fraudulent Access to Phone Records Act will be discussed on the floor of the House May 3.