Re: [Fwd: [IP] Feds: VoIP a potential haven for terrorists]

["Steven M. Bellovin" <smb () research att com>]

In message <Pine.GSO.4.58.0406190133050.29563 () clifden donelan com>, Sean Donela
n writes:

> In reality, CALEA is a funding bill; it has very little to do with
> technology. 

There's a lot more to it than that -- there's also access without 
involving telco personnel, and possibly the ability to do many more 
wiretaps (have you looked at the capacity requirements lately), but 
funding is certainly a large part of it.  From Section (e) of
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/2518.html :

        Any provider of wire or electronic communication service,
        landlord, custodian or other person furnishing such facilities
        or technical assistance shall be compensated therefor by the
        applicant for reasonable expenses incurred in providing such
        facilities or assistance. 


                --Steve Bellovin, http://www.research.att.com/~smb