WASHINGTON — Federal law enforcement and national security officials are preparing to seek sweeping new regulations for the Internet, arguing that their ability to wiretap criminal and terrorism suspects is “going dark” as people increasingly communicate online instead of by telephone.
Essentially, officials want Congress to require all services that enable communications — including encrypted e-mail transmitters like BlackBerry, social networking Web sites like Facebook and software that allows direct “peer to peer” messaging like Skype — to be technically capable of complying if served with a wiretap order. The mandate would include being able to intercept and unscramble encrypted messages.
The bill, which the Obama administration plans to submit to lawmakers next year, raises fresh questions about how to balance security needs with protecting privacy and fostering innovation. And because security services around the world face the same problem, it could set an example that is copied globally...
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U.S. Wants Broader Internet Wiretap Authority
Feds Seek Broader Internet Eavesdropping Rights
Obama Admin Wants Congress to Force All Online Services to be Wiretap-Able, Including Social Networks
U.S. Works To Make Internet Wiretaps Easier
[Webmaster - In reality, they are probably already doing what they say they "want" to do.]
