[jyl]

Interesting piece on FedEX's relationship with law enforcement. Wall Street Journal, page A1, 5/26/05.

- FedEX provides access to its customer database, including shipment and creditcard details, to US Customs. This is data which the government cannot otherwise access, without a warrant.

- FedEX instructs employees to report unusual activity or behaviour to law enforcement, and is working with the Homeland Security Dept to develop computer systems to enable further reporting.

- FedEX is seeking access to the FBI's classified terrorist watch lists, to use in screening employees.

- FedEX has its own small police force, recognized by the State of Tennessee.

- FedEX will open customer packages (domestic or international) for law enforcement, without requiring any warrant.

UPS and the Postal Service do not provide similar cooperation to government authorities.

Neither the government nor FedEX pointed the WSJ to any instances in which FedEX-government cooperation uncovered any terrorist activity.

What do I think? Well, I'm already trying to avoid using FedEX, after repeated problems with their Home Delivery drivers. My local driver has now taken to forging my signature on the release forms, so that he can leave a $1,500 computer sitting on my doorstep rather than be bothered to redeliver. When I call to complain, FedEX customer service doesn't give a crap, and I never hear back from them. Now it appears that FedEX doesn't care about my privacy either, and is happy to tell the police what they see through my windows and to open my packages for the authorities too. If they were catching all kinds of terrorists, it might be worth it, but doesn't seem like it.