FBI adds to wiretap wish list

Found on CNet News on Friday, 12 March 2004
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A far-reaching proposal from the FBI, made public Friday, would require all broadband Internet providers, including cable modem and DSL companies, to rewire their networks to support easy wiretapping by police.

Legal experts said the 85-page filing includes language that could be interpreted as forcing companies to build back doors into everything from instant messaging and voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) programs to Microsoft's Xbox Live game service. The introduction of new services that did not support a back door for police would be outlawed, and companies would be given 15 months to make sure that existing services comply.

Because the eavesdropping scheme has the support of the Bush administration, the FCC is expected to take it very seriously. Last month, FCC Chairman Michael Powell stressed that "law enforcement access to IP-enabled communications is essential" and that police must have "access to communications infrastructure they need to protect our nation."

Trying to build a surveillance system, monitoring every communication? The US Patriot Act is not bad enough, it seems. The proposal itself it idiotic: the law can only apply to US companies and products, so people will move to software developed ouside. This will end up in an increased usage of email, chat and filesharing systems encrypted with Open Source applications.