Politech mailing list archives
FC: Does CALEA wiretap law cover the Internet?
From: Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 13:28:01 -0400
[There seem to be multiple services at issue here: ISPs, computer-to-computer IP telephony, and IP gateway telephony that more closely resembles traditional phone calls. There is also unfortunate confusion inside IETF as to which of these is covered by CALEA, which requires wiretappability of "telecommunications carriers." --DBM] **** Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 06:17:57 -0400 To: declan () well com From: John Young <jya () pipeline com> Subject: Re: FC: IETF considers building wiretapping into the Internet The FCC issued yesterday its detailed definitions of what types of services are and are not subject to CALEA requirements: http://cryptome.org/fcc101299.txt This was issued in an attempt is to answer questions from respondents about what is a "telecommunications carrier." Excerpts: "5. CALEA also makes clear that its requirements do not apply to certain entities and services. Subsection 102(8)(C) of the definition specifically excludes information services, and the legislative history makes clear that CALEA does not apply to private network services: [T]elecommunications services that support the transport or switching of communications for private networks or for the sole purpose of interconnecting telecommunications carriers * * * need not meet any wiretap standards. PBXs are excluded. So are automated teller machine (ATM) networks and other closed networks. Also excluded from coverage are all information services, such as Internet service providers or services such as Prodigy and America-On-Line. All of these private network systems or information services can be wiretapped pursuant to court order, and their owners must cooperate when presented with a wiretap order, but these services and systems do not have to be designed so as to comply with the capability requirements. It is unnecessary to adopt the FBI's recommendation not to use the adverb ``indiscriminately'' in clarifying the definition of telecommunications carrier. The FBI is concerned that the inclusion of this term may allow companies that hold themselves out to serve only particular groups to undermine CALEA, intentionally or inadvertently, by creating a loophole that would permit criminals to use telecommunications providers that do not indiscriminately offer their services to the public." [End excerpts] -------------------------------------------------------------------------- POLITECH -- the moderated mailing list of politics and technology To subscribe: send a message to majordomo () vorlon mit edu with this text: subscribe politech More information is at http://www.well.com/~declan/politech/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current thread:
- FC: Does CALEA wiretap law cover the Internet? Declan McCullagh (Oct 13)