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Groups Slam FCC on Internet Phone Tap Rule

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the big-brother-is-listening dept.

kamikaze-Tech writes "An Associated Press report posted in the Vonage VoIP Forums discusses the new CALEA regulations that will make it easier for law enforcement to tap Internet phone calls. The article claims that the new law will also make computer systems more vulnerable to hackers, according to some digital privacy and civil liberties groups. While the groups don't want the Internet to be a safe haven for terrorists and criminals, they complain that expanding wiretapping laws to cover Internet calls -- or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) -- will create additional points of attack and security holes that hackers can exploit. VoIP service providers such as Vonage, Skype and Packet 8 have eighteen months to comply with the new law."

3 of 164 comments (clear)

  1. Cyberstalkers... by Travoltus · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Isn't that the same CALEA law that also forces router/NIC makers to install FBI backdoors (which can also be compromised by hackers)?

    I see a big market soon for do-it-yourself NICs and PC routers...

    --
    --- Grow a pair, liberals... stop letting the Republicans bully you!
  2. Sounds fine to me by domipheus · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I don't mind phone tapping at all - as long is there is cause for it's need. However as stated in another posting it is kinda stupid, as if people want to communicate over the net for dodgy dealings, they are certainly not going to use one of the mainstream (or indeed, any) VOIP provider.

    If only the UK was able to procecute criminals based on phone tapping, currently it's not allowed (hears gasps of shock).

  3. Re:It's so much worse.. by OverkillTASF · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Interesting... Once again, we have a parallel to gun control here. I would assume from the conversation that all parent posts to this would also agree that just as this tangential law won't stop a criminal from communicating, nor will a given gun-ban stop a criminal from obtaining and using an illegal firearm. If you outlaw encrypted VOIP, only criminals will have encrypted VOIP. And the rest of us are screwed.