by Stephen of the Thinkery
Monday, May 14th, is the deadline for
cable modem companies, DSL providers, broadband over powerline, satellite internet companies and some
universities to finish wiring up their networks with FBI-friendlysurveillance gear, to comply with the FCC's expanded interpretation ofthe Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act.
CALEA originally only applied to telephone communications, but last year the Federal Appeals Court in Washington, DC upheld an expanded interpretation of that law and applied it to internet service providers as well. It needs to be said that CALEA doesn't address the standard of evidence required to obtain warrants. Certainly, though, law enforcement agencies will be more likely to seek warrants on networks that have been made accessible to their preferred methods of eavesdropping.
