FBI pressuring Google, Facebook to allow ‘back doors’ for wiretapping

[DearAbby]

ACLU: Proposed expansion of wiretap powers 'a clear recipe for abuse'

FBI Director Robert Mueller traveled to Silicon Valley this week to convince major Internet players to build "back doors" into their software that will allow law enforcement to wiretap data on their networks, says a news report.

It's part of an effort to expand the FBI's wiretapping powers to include the latest communications technologies, including social networking sites, voice-over-Internet (VoIP) telephone services and BlackBerries.

But privacy and civil rights advocates are raising the alarm about the proposal, saying that the proposed wiretapping tools could just as easily be used by hackers to steal personal information, or by oppressive governments to track political dissidents.

The New York Times reported Wednesday that Mueller is on a lobbying trip in Silicon Valley to sell tech companies on the idea.

More:

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/11/fbi-pressuring-google-facebook-wiretapping/

[niyad]

1. isn't it fascinating that the teabaggers aren't screaming about this?

[notadmblnd]

2. Didn't the "Promis" software perform that function?

And if I recall correctly, didn't "they" have the ability to install it undetected?

[Tuesday Afternoon]

3. interesting. K&R

[RKP5637]

4. Those intent on activies they are looking for will just seek out alternatives. What a

cat and mouse game. Meanwhile, much as with TSA, millions will be suspects until proven innocent.

[Kalyke]

5. It could also violate some of the electronic safety standards

other arms of the federal government have put in place to protect personal identifiable information from data leaks, such as HIPAA, PCI and GLBA/FFIEC. I would think wiretapping and/or heightening the potential for hackers to steal this information would violate any number of regulations those acts mandate.

How can one branch of the government supersede the laws or regulations another branch has instituted?

[DCKit]

6. I thought the NSA already had a deal with Google...

and that huge Federal lawsuit went away for Microsoft for SOME reason other than the government's inability to win.

[L0oniX]

7. This shit is all about spying on the people of this country and growing jobs for them.