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FCC Releases Orders for Internet Backdoor Wiretap Access

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http://newstandardnews.net/content/index.cfm/items/2419

 

 

 

FCC Releases Orders for Internet Backdoor Wiretap Access

by Brendan Coyne (bio)

 

 

Sep 29 - Quietly last week, the Federal Communications Commission

(FCC) released a 59-page document outlining new rules forcing

broadband internet and voice-over-IP (VoIP) phone service providers to

open up their systems to federal, state and local law enforcement

officials.

 

In releasing the rules, the FCC opened up a 30-day public comment

period. The regulations, which are planned for implementation in 2007,

were decided upon in the beginning of August and made public Friday

without a news release or other announcement.

 

Opponents of the proposed rules argue that the " backdoor " requirements

pose the opportunity for privacy rights violations and will be

prohibitively expensive for companies and the consumers they will

ultimately pass the cost along to. In addition, Internet phone

companies allege that the FCC rules are designed to prop up faltering

traditional telephone companies, which are losing ground in

competition with the relatively versatile and inexpensive VoIP services.

 

In a statement yesterday, Electronic Freedom Foundation attorney Kurt

Opsahl said that " a tech mandate requiring backdoors in the Internet

endangers the privacy of innocent people, stifles innovation and risks

the Internet as a forum for free and open expression. "

 

Opsahl's organization is a nonprofit electronic privacy advocate that

has grown vocal in opposition to increasing government regulation of

electronic communications in recent years. The Electronic Freedom

Foundation is considering a court challenge to the FCC's proposed

rules, the statement noted.

 

In a related resolution made public Friday, the FCC agreed to

incorporate four new principles into its mission, including a

deferential guideline stating that " consumers are entitled to run

applications and use services of their choice, subject to the needs of

law enforcement. " Commission members did not expand on the intent of

the statement included in the three-page decision.

 

=A9 2005 The NewStandard. See our reprint policy.

 

 

Online sources used in this news brief:

 

* " FCC CALEA First Order and Report " Legal Document PDF File -

requires Adobe Acrobat - click to obtain

http://www.cdt.org/digi_tele/20050923fcc-calea.pdf

 

* " EFF Statement on FCC First Order and Report " Press Release

Electronic Freedom Foundation

http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/0928-09.htm

 

* " FCC Electronic Policy Principles " Legal Document PDF File -

requires Adobe Acrobat - click to obtain

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-151A1.pdf

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