CNET's "News.Com" report that a few weeks ago:
http://news.com.com/2100-1028-5172948.html
Quote:
March 12, 2004, 1:05 PM PST
By Declan McCullagh and Ben Charny
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
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.
The FBI's request to the Federal Communications Commission aims to give police ready access to any form of Internet-based communications. If approved as drafted, the proposal could dramatically expand the scope of the agency's wiretap powers, raise costs for cable broadband companies and complicate Internet product development.
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.
(snip)
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."
(snip)
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I think they'll probably get their way...
The PATRIOT Act has already got rid of a lot of the safeguards of the FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act), so I can't see BushCo having any qualms about making surveillance even more easy. Liberty seems to take a second place to "security" now. Oh, and FCC Chairman Michael Powell is the son of Dubya's Secretary of State, Colin Powell...