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FTC Wants Secret Spam Investigation Powers

Posted by simoniker on from the spam-tapping-shock dept.

PingXao writes "Amidst the various anti-spam efforts underway in Washington, the FTC surprised lawmakers by saying they need to be able to secretly investigate the worst-offending spammers, according to a Washington Post article. I'm generally against government secrecy, but quietly investigating spammers isn't as bad as secret courts and arrests. Is this acceptable, or another mis-step down the slippery slope?"

2 of 264 comments (clear)

  1. Secretly investigate? by ePhil_One · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Is the FTC required to knock on folks door and inform them they are about to start gathering evidence? Why does a spam bill need to be passed for this?

    --
    You are in a maze of twisted little posts, all alike.
  2. secret investigations are commonplace by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    be it by a federal law enforcement or your local police. It's really useful in cases where a subject of the investigation is a flight risk. But - the secret parts dont last long - once someone outside the circle of investigators gets interviewed, the cats out of the bag.