Light blogging lately... exams are almost done. One quick hit - in a move that should surprise no one, the FBI is seeking to require VoIP (voice-over-Internet-Protocol) services to reconfigure their networks for compliance with CALEA (the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act). Basically this amounts to telling providers like Vonage to make their systems "tap-able," permitting the FBI to bring a wiretap order to the company's main office and receive a recording of phone (in this case, IP-phone) calls made over the service, or even listen in real-time. Back in the day, CALEA required telephone carriers to build their networks in the same way -- and it was controversial then, too.
The FBI raises an interesting argument, though -- by putting VoIP providers under CALEA, we can protect users' privacy by ensuring that disclosure of conversations is made only pursuant to orders coming through the proper channels, and presumably with proper oversight. Given the willingness with which most ISPs turned over tremendous amounts of user data to the RIAA (through a proceeding with NO oversight), this is an argument privacy advocates should take seriously.
See you next week, once Contracts is done.