Report: DOJ subpoenas reached far beyond Web-search companies [View All]

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NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued subpoenas to at least 34 technology companies in addition to Google Inc. (GOOG), Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), Time Warner Inc. (TWX) and Yahoo Inc. (YHOO) last year in its effort to defend the Child Online Protection Act, according to InformationWeek.

In a sweeping move, the Bush administration demanded information from Internet service providers, search companies and security software makers as part of its investigation into Internet pornography and the effectiveness of software filters in shielding minors.

Targets of the subpoenas included AT&T Inc. (T), BellSouth Corp. (BLS), Cablevision Systems Corp. (CVC), Comcast Corp. (CMCSA, CMCSK), Computer Associates, Cox Communications, EarthLink Inc. (ELNK), LookSmart Ltd. (LOOK), McAfee Inc. (MFE), Secure Computing Corp. (SCUR), Symantec Corp. (SYMC), United Online Inc. (UNTD) and Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ), InformationWeek learned after filing a Freedom of Information Act request.

A DOJ spokesperson wasn't immediately available to comment.

The documents presented to the publication revealed that Google wasn't alone in objecting to the government's demands. Lawyers for Verizon and Cablevision also protested, InformationWeek reported.

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