Wire tapped phones? Now Internet?

[katty]

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

By CHARLIE SAVAGE, New York Times

WASHINGTON - 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.

The legislation, which the Obama administration plans to submit to Congress next year, raises fresh questions about how to balance security needs with protecting privacy and fostering technological innovation.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. If you smile, the loss of your Constitutional rights doesn't hurt so much.

:)

[TygrBright]

2. ::facepalm:: Just what we need. Thin the herd of the stupid criminals and terrorists...

...and let the smart ones thrive.

Seriously. This will only catch the stupid. There are simply too many ways to communicate using the Internet that are totally opaque because they don't depend on encryption software or email or IP address.

So what's the point? To encourage smarter criminals and terrorists?

Oy.

exasperatedly,
Bright

[katandmoon]

3. What a joke --pretending that they would bother to SERVE a wiretap order.

[katty]

4. right!-hah, hello, there,... "May we wiretap, you?"