This is another fun idea to cram into an already overloaded brain trying to deal with various intrusions. Old news, but interesting, nonetheless.
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1107_2-5194394.html?tag=zdaresources News Commentary
FBI wants to watch you type
By Declan McCullagh
Special to ZDNet
April 19, 2004, 4:55 AM PT
COMMENTARY--The FBI is trying to convince the government to mandate that providers of broadband, Internet telephony, and instant-messaging services build in backdoors for easy wiretapping.
That would constitute a sweeping expansion of police surveillance powers. Instead of asking Congress to approve the request, the FBI (along with the Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration) are pressing the Federal Communications Commission to move forward with minimal public input.
The three agencies argue that the 1994 Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) permits the FCC to rewire the Internet to suit the eavesdropping establishment. "The importance and the urgency of this task cannot be overstated," their proposal says. "The ability of federal, state and local law enforcement to carry out critical electronic surveillance is being compromised today."
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