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August 04, 2004
feds back wiretap rules for internet
Dan Gilmor reports the FCC is demanding Broadband providers and Internet phone services must comply with requirements designed for the traditional phone network.
"The vote comes five months after the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Justice Department formally asked for guaranteed wiretapping access to broadband networks. If the FCC had done nothing, wiretaps would be possible but could be more difficult and time-consuming for police to carry out.
There is "no higher priority than promoting national security," said FCC commissioner Kathleen Abernathy during the meeting. "All of us are in favor of doing all we can to assist law enforcement."
Gilmor makes some good points in his commentary. You and I are more likely to be monitored then any terrorist, just like the guy whos being taken down under the Patriot act for the MPAA. I see this a possible wedge to make Free Software illegal, and another attack on the shoestring operations competing with the baby bells:
"The FCC also indicated that broadband and VoIP providers subject to the law would have to pay the costs of buying equipment to follow the law. By contrast, from 1997 through 2001, Congress appropriated a total of $500 million to reimburse analog phone companies for the costs of complying with CALEA."
Posted by parody at August 4, 2004 06:08 PM
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Comments
Never say anything over the wires that you wouldn't want a grand jury to overhear.
That has always been true, and it remains true.
Your only protection online is the massive quantity of noise moving around the net, resulting in information overload for their systems. If they decide to focus on you, you have no online secrets.
Posted by: Great Satan at August 5, 2004 10:10 AM
of course they would what you pretty badly to go through all the expense
Posted by: Oakey at August 5, 2004 11:47 AM
Not really, especially after 9-11. It used to be that they collected info on lots of people, but just stored it, and didn't bother scrutinizing it, or taking action, unless they had a good reason to.
After 9-11, the threshold for scrutiny and action has been lowered dramatically. Geez, haven't you heard about the Feds' efforts to deport retired IRA guys who were granted emanesty years ago? Of the artist who got whacked for using bio-agents in his art project?
Right now, the Feds don't give a fuck if you really pose a danger to anyone. If you hit the threshold, they pounce on you.
And the threshold gets lower every day. . . .
Posted by: Great Satan at August 5, 2004 02:39 PM