U.S. Wants Broader Internet Wiretap Authority

From:  Fox News

U.S. Wants Broader Internet Wiretap Authority
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/09/27/seeking-expand-internet-wiretaps/


The Obama administration is developing plans that would require all Internet-based communication services -- such as encrypted BlackBerry e-mail, Facebook, and Skype -- to be capable of complying with federal wiretap orders, according to a report published Monday.


National security officials and federal law enforcement argue their ability to eavesdrop on terror suspects is increasingly "going dark," The New York Times reported, as more communication takes place via Internet services, rather than by traditional telephone.

The bill, which the White House plans to deliver to Congress next year, would require communication service providers be technically capable of intercepting and decrypting messages, raising serious privacy concerns, the Times said. . . . . . .


****************************************************************

From:  Star Tribune

Wiretapped phones, now Internet?  To better track criminals, U.S. wants to be able to wiretap online communications

http://www.startribune.com/nation/103836983.html


Federal law enforcement and national security officials are preparing to seek sweeping new regulations of the Internet, arguing that their ability to wiretap criminal and terrorism suspects is "going dark" as people increasingly communicate online instead of by telephone.


Essentially, officials want Congress to require all services that enable communications -- including encrypted e-mail transmitters such as BlackBerry, social networking websites such as Facebook and software that allows direct "peer-to-peer" messaging such as Skype -- to be technically capable of complying if served with a wiretap order. The mandate would include being able to intercept and unscramble encrypted messages. . . . . .