Subject: Application of the commission's customer privacy rules in situations where a nonemployee agent or contractor of a telecommunications company performs the actions of the telecommunications company.

     Effective Date: January 23, 2003.

     Document Description: The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission clarifies that when a company is permitted to "use" customer information under chapter 480-120 WAC, it may do so either with its own employees or with nonemployee agents or contractors who are acting in the same capacity as its own employees, who are using the information in the same manner as a company employee might, and who are subject to confidentiality obligations that are at-least-as-stringent-as those governing a company employee.

     To receive a copy of the interpretive statement, contact the Commission Secretary, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504-7250, phone (360) 664-1160, fax (360) 586-1150, e-mail records@wutc.wa.gov, or go to the commission's website http://wutc.wa.gov (click on Search, click on Docket Number, enter docket number "021696," click on "Qwest Corporation," click on "Orders," and click on "1/23/2003").

Carole J. Washburn

Secretary

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