http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/News/NewsWatch/2105E6314F309E1486256E64003BA31D?OpenDocument&Headline=Internet+is+wiretapping+frontier Internet is wiretapping frontier By Michael D. Sorkin Of the Post-Dispatch 03/27/2004 The FBI already can intercept phone lines, e-mails and instant messaging with ease. Now it's fighting for even faster and easier access. The bureau and other law enforcement agencies are in a battle with the companies that transmit the e-mails, phone calls and instant messages. Police would still need a court order to tap phone or computer lines, and that likely won't change. The current battle is over whether the FBI will dictate the technology to eavesdrop on Internet communications. Also at stake: whether you will pay more to use the Internet. This month, the FBI unveiled a plan to require all U.S. broadband providers, including cable and DSL companies, to rewire their Internet networks to make it easier for police agencies to intercept messages. ... The government's ability to stop terrorism "is significantly dependent upon our ability to intercept communications," says Greg Motta, an FBI associate general counsel. "At a time when our country is debating - did our intelligence-gathering agencies fail us in 9-11? - the FBI is saying that if we do not resolve this problem, we cannot do an adequate job to protect the American people," Motta warns. ... _______________________________________________ Politech mailing list Archived at http://www.politechbot.com/ Moderated by Declan McCullagh (http://www.mccullagh.org/)
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