FBI Wants to Wiretap Net Phones

Feb. 3, 2004

The idea that the FCC might free low-cost/no cost internet phone calls from most of the regulations that govern traditional telephone systems has a lot of groups in a tizzy, especially the FBI.

The FBI is worried that that the new net phone technologies will not allow them to easily wiretap phone calls.

The Bureau is demanding that the FCC force net phone companies to install centralized processing for easier spying.

Clearly, long distance calling through the Internet is here - companies like Vonage and even SBC are getting in on the Net phone business. The service is spotty, but cheap, cheap, cheap -- and growing fast. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael K. Powell, who recently declared that "Regulation can be poison," is believed to be prepared to OK a Pulver.com petition (Jeff Pulver is the founder of Free World Dialup) to operate its 'Voice Over Internet Protocol' (VOIP) service free of some traditional phone regulations.

Minnesota has already ruled that Vonage is not subject to traditional telephone rules.

Still, BusinessWeek reports that among the most vehement opponents to the idea of unfettered Internet calling is the Federal Bureau of Investigation. According to the magazine "FBI officials are prowling the halls of the FCC, warning Powell and his colleagues against exempting Net phone companies from requirements to build wiretapping capabilities into their systems.

The G-men fear that unless they can listen in on all calls, the Internet will be the communications superhighway for the bad guys - al Qaida and the like.

BusinessWeek says that Powell promised he will protect the FBI's ability to hear Web calls, but Powell insists that he can keep the feds' hands off Web calls while still protecting universal service, 911 service, and FBI wiretaps.

The magazine is skeptical: "Doing that will take a deft political touch - something that the FCC chief hasn't demonstrated so far."

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2004/2/3/144358.shtml