FBI Petitions for Broad Wiretapping Rights By Sebastian Rupley

The Bush Administration has asked the Federal Communications Commission to require broadband service providers to introduce new architecture in their networks that would facilitate eavesdropping by law enforcement officials. The 85-page proposal was filed March 12 by the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Experts are saying that if it is approved, it could dramatically hinder both emerging and existing technologies. [mjh: not to mention its impact on our freedom and privacy] …

The proposal specifically calls for giving police easy access to all forms of “switched” Internet communications, including communications conducted over Voice-over-IP (VoIP) systems, instant messaging systems, and communications taking place over cable modem and DSL networks. The language of the proposal, which is posted online, implies that backdoors should be integrated in networked systems to allow law enforcement officials eavesdropping rights.

You may recall ”Carnivore”, a Big Brother snooper from the Clinton administration. Though it was renamed to something less honest, it was a system that would be put in place on a specific ISP to spy on specific suspects (so they said) under a wiretap warrant. Now the Feds want to read every single byte you and I exchange. Every single byte — no warrants; just trolling for whatever they want. I’m not at all sure that getting rid of Asskraft (sic) or Bush will stop this, but keeping them means much worse intrusion in the future. mjh