Whisper
September 28th, 2010, 02:40 AM
U.S. intelligence services would be allowed to tap text messages, emails and networking web-sites under new powers being considered by the Obama administration.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation says extremists and drug cartels are increasingly communicating online rather than using telephones, leaving U.S. investigators struggling to keep track of them.
New legislation requesting the additional powers to investigate suspected criminals and terrorists will be presented next year. It is likely to face stiff opposition from civil liberties advocates who say the security services have historically abused extensions of power.
James Dempsey of the group Centre for Democracy and Technology said, "They are really asking for the authority to redesign services that take advantage of the unique architecture of theIinternet."
The new proposals are likely to require that all encrypted messaging services, such as BlackBerry, include a facility or back door, that would allow investigators to examine communications with a warrant.
Any foreign communications providers operating in the United States would also have to have an office in the country able to provide intercepts.
Software developers of Internet communication services such as Skype, which are heavily encrypted, would be required to redesign their products to enable interception.
"We're talking about lawfully authorized intercepts," said Valerie Caproni, the FBI's general counsel.
"We're talking about preserving our ability to execute our existing authority in order to protect the public safety and national security."
Creating a back door to encrypted services would provide hackers with another opening, said Steven Bellovin, professor of computer science at Columbia University in New York.
The Daily Telegraph, with files from The New York Times
Read more: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/world/seeks+right+text+messages+emails/3588371/story.html#ixzz10o96pTyP
America the "free"
The Federal Bureau of Investigation says extremists and drug cartels are increasingly communicating online rather than using telephones, leaving U.S. investigators struggling to keep track of them.
New legislation requesting the additional powers to investigate suspected criminals and terrorists will be presented next year. It is likely to face stiff opposition from civil liberties advocates who say the security services have historically abused extensions of power.
James Dempsey of the group Centre for Democracy and Technology said, "They are really asking for the authority to redesign services that take advantage of the unique architecture of theIinternet."
The new proposals are likely to require that all encrypted messaging services, such as BlackBerry, include a facility or back door, that would allow investigators to examine communications with a warrant.
Any foreign communications providers operating in the United States would also have to have an office in the country able to provide intercepts.
Software developers of Internet communication services such as Skype, which are heavily encrypted, would be required to redesign their products to enable interception.
"We're talking about lawfully authorized intercepts," said Valerie Caproni, the FBI's general counsel.
"We're talking about preserving our ability to execute our existing authority in order to protect the public safety and national security."
Creating a back door to encrypted services would provide hackers with another opening, said Steven Bellovin, professor of computer science at Columbia University in New York.
The Daily Telegraph, with files from The New York Times
Read more: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/world/seeks+right+text+messages+emails/3588371/story.html#ixzz10o96pTyP
America the "free"