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Judge Upholds FBI Keyboard Sniffing

Posted by michael on from the black-bag-job dept.

mshiltonj writes: "Wired is reporting that keyboard sniffing can be used to catch "mobsters." I feel safer already. You can read the ruling. Here's a snippet: "This case presents an interesting issue of first impression dealing with the ever-present tension between individual privacy and liberty rights and law enforcement's use of new and advanced technology to vigorously investigate criminal activity. It appears that no district court in the country has addressed a similar issue. Of course, the matter takes on added importance in light of recent events and potential national security implications." Translation: Don't deny us this tool or you'll be blamed for us not catching terrorists." See also an Infoworld article. We have several previous stories on the Scarfo case.

8 of 285 comments (clear)

  1. I'm glad to see... by mrroot · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm glad to see the courts upholding our rights to have unusual fetishes such as sniffing other people's keyboards.

    If I remember correctly, J Edgar Hoover was the FBI's original keyboard sniffer.

    --
    I Heart Sorting Networks
  2. Re:we need separate phone lines by Have+Blue · · Score: 3, Funny

    If you keep the cables a secret, expect them to be severed almost daily.

  3. I don't see what all the fuss is about by mr_gerbik · · Score: 3, Funny

    Who cares is the FBI smells my keyboard? It prolly just smells like sweat and doritos.

  4. dudes, by cosmo7 · · Score: 2, Funny

    they probably won't shut down mobster - they'll just have a long string of court dates and then make them switch to a subscription model.

  5. Re:how do we protect ourselves? by cscx · · Score: 3, Funny

    Why should you be worried about Magic Lantern? Are you a terrorist?

  6. How to avoid keyloggers by 3ryon · · Score: 5, Funny

    B r o w s e t o a w e b p a g e w i t h l o t s o f w o r d s o n i t a n d t h e n c u t a n d p a s t e e a c h l e t t e r y o u n e e d.

    --
    Kind thoughts do not change the world
  7. Re:Am I missing something? by Tackhead · · Score: 2, Funny
    > I'm reminded of a court case a few years ago. A man was videotaping his sexual escapades without the knowledge of the women involved. To their embarassment, he showed the tapes to his friends. There wasn't a law that specifically addressed his actions. So he was prosecuted for illegal wiretapping, AFTER the courts ruled that sexual intercourse is a form of communication.

    Well, at least that means "Fuck you, spammer" is protected by the First Amendment... ;-)

  8. dvorak by FigBug · · Score: 0, Funny

    what if you use a dvorak keyboard?