Despite Controversy, Federal Wiretaps On the Rise

coondoggie writes with a report that "Federal and state requests for court permission to intercept or wiretap electronic communications increased 34% in 2010 over 2009 with California, New York, and New Jersey accounting for 68% of all wire taps approved by state judges. According to the 2010 Wiretap Report, released today by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AOUSC) the most frequently noted location in wiretap requests was 'portable device,' a category that includes cellular telephones and digital pagers."

Comments

Let's just assume everything is tapped

[Eightbitgnosis]

It's easier for the moment, and will be true shortly

Re:Let's just assume everything is tapped

[sortius_nod]

I hate when an obviously trolly statement is actually the 100% truth.

I think I'll go back to sticking my head in the sand, a much happier place there.

Re:Let's just assume everything is tapped

[jcoy42]

You know, back when Phil Zimmerman was under fire for PGP, we (the geek community) stepped up and used PGP for trivial messages, thereby lending it strength, and making it pointless to bother working to decrypt the messages.

And he WON.

Based on you getting a +5 for saying you want to bury your head in the sand, I'd say we're just throwing the battle. And I'd say you're a jackass.

Don't let the FUD take you down. They're just grunts who want a day off eating hot dogs with the family same as you. If they want to be assholes for a few bucks they won't even remember having earned in 6 months, let them waste their time. But make sure it's a waste of time. Make sure it's a HUGE waste of time. Because they're the ones we want to keep busy.

Re:No surprise

[jhoegl]

In the USA, it should be. But it isnt.

Not "despite" controvercy

[BenBoy]

It's not "despite" controversy, it's "regardless". They're not struggling against public opinion, they just don't care.

It's all very disappointing...

[Frosty Piss]

It's all very disappointing to me, a life long Democrat and card carrying bleeding heart liberal... I voted for Obama with great hopes for open government and a roll-back of the affront that is the Patriot act.

Yet, under the guy that the Republican and Tea Party folks love to hate, the guy that Darth Chaney never passes a chance to skewer - under Obama the Patriot act continues to exist without a peep fro the People's President, whistle-blower prosecutions have never been higher, and the TSA continues to emulate the Sturmabteilung unabated. And we are still entrenched in the Middle East, pumping trillions into the pockets of corrupt "defense contractors" and corrupt Third World chieftains...

I've tried explaining to people why it is that in reality we live in a Police State that is little better than the former East Germany, but most people still don't get it.

From THX1138: It all happened so slowly that most men failed to realize that anything had happened at all.

Just so, so disappointing, I find myself wondering if I should have voted for McCain and that twit from Alaska. In 2012, I may just throw my vote away in the presidential election and vote my heart, it can't possible get any worse.