Summary
1. There is no benefit to AT&T for even seeming to make unilateral compromises. 2. The visceral hatred of corporations by its adversaries does not allow for a minuscule amount of admiration. 3. They were immediately looking to play gotcha on these privacy matters.
Analysis
No matter what it does, AT&T is not going to get its enemies to like it one iota. That is why it does not pay to make concessions. Hardball has to be played all the way. Otherwise the carrier just manages to weaken its position in standing up for its interests.
There was almost an instantaneous effort by AT&T’s opponents to look for contradictions to the testimony of the executive. They found a whopper. And even if they did not, exaggerations and, if necessary, even outright fabrication will be used against the company. AT&T needs to realize that it is in a constant war in protecting its rights as a business.
