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'Full-Pipe' FBI Internet Monitoring Questionably Legal

Posted by Zonk on from the frag-em-all-sort-em-out-later dept.

CNet is running a piece looking at what they refer to as a 'questionably legal' internet surveillance technique being employed by the FBI. In situations where isolating a specific IP address for a suspect is not possible, the FBI has taken to 'full-pipe' surveillance: all activity for a bank of IPs is recorded, and then data mining is used to attempt to isolate their target. The questionable legality of this situation results from a requirement that, under federal law, the FBI is required to use 'minimization'. The article describes it this way: "Federal law says that agents must 'minimize the interception of communications not otherwise subject to interception' and keep the supervising judge informed of what's happening. Minimization is designed to provide at least a modicum of privacy by limiting police eavesdropping on innocuous conversations." Full-pipe surveillance would seem to abandon that principle in favor of getting to the target faster.

3 of 211 comments (clear)

  1. OMG! I HAF TO ACT FAST! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    "Liberty would trade temporary safety deserve neither" -BILL FRANKLIN MOD INCITEFULL

  2. Meanwhile by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    . . . Islamofascists are targeting women and children, executing homosexuals, and enslaving women.

    But the FBI doing its job is what we need to be outraged about.

    I predict the fall of Western Civilization within fifty years.

    Best teach your kids which way to pray to Mecca, assholes.

    1. Re:Meanwhile by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

      . . Islamofascists are targeting women and children, executing homosexuals, and enslaving women.
      But the FBI doing its job is what we need to be outraged about.
      I predict the fall of Western Civilization within fifty years.
      Best teach your kids which way to pray to Mecca, assholes. /////////////////////
      Slow that knee down there boss.
      The FBI ABUSEING its powers as it has consistently through out its history is what people are objecting to.
      You know....freedom? That means free from a police state as well.

      You know what ?
      Fuck it bring it on. I am out of the way.
      Lets get the civil war started. First as I remember my history we need to fall into a dictatorship then a police state. for 20 years or so then a revolution.
      I am out of the way so go ahead kick it off.
      Ya know the funniest thing about this is that some people think I am trolling.
      That is the best thing about speaking your mind.