Forwarded From: Erik Parker <netmask@303.org>
http://www.aclu.org/action/calea106.html
Big Brother Wants to Know Where You Are, and with Whom You're
Communicating
What would you say if the federal government was able to:
track the location of any American who carries a cellular phone -- even
when the phone is turned off? get access to the content of communications
you send over the new Internet-based telephone systems without having to
show probable cause that a crime was being committed?
That's exactly what the FBI will be able to do - if the FCC gives it
permission.
The FBI is pressuring the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to
expand the ways in which the agency can monitor us and listen in on our
private conversations. It has asked the FCC for permission to use an
individual's cellular phone as a location tracking device. It also wants
access to the content of voice communications you send over the Internet
-- an increasingly popular method of communication -- without having to
show the same persuasive evidence it needed to listen in on calls made on
older telephone systems. (The FCC calls this "packet mode
communications.")
In the last days of the 103d Congress -- when few were looking -- the FCC
was authorized to implement a massive new wiretapping law that was
strongly opposed by privacy advocates. Although Congress explicitly stated
that the law was intended to give law enforcement "no more and no less
access to information than it had in the past," the FBI continues to find
new ways to use the law to spy on American citizens.
Before making its ruling on the FBI's request, the FCC is seeking comments
on whether federal law enforcement agencies should be able to use cell
phones as tracking devices and have easier access to the content of our
Internet communications. Tell the FCC that it's time to protect our right
to privacy by denying the FBI's request.
-o-
Subscribe: mail majordomo@repsec.com with "subscribe isn".
Today's ISN Sponsor: Repent Security Incorporated [www.repsec.com]
Received on Tue Dec 8 09:00:33 1998