Nov. 29, 2005 – Groups working to restrict federal law enforcement agencies? access to personal information asked the Federal Communications Commission last week to hold off on a recent decision requiring internet providers to open their systems to easier government wiretapping.
The motion, filed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) and several library and internet industry groups last Wednesday, asked the FCC to delay implementing a September decision officially extending the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) to both broadband internet and voice over IP (VoIP) phone companies. The FCC decision would require companies to fully comply with the expanded regulations by 2007.
Shortly after the ruling, CDT and EFF filed a joint lawsuit asking a district court in Washington, DC to strike down the Commission decision.
In a statement announcing last week?s motion, EFF attorney Lee Tien charged that the FCC "plainly overreached their authority in requiring internet providers to design systems that make surveillance of the public easier." Tien added: "No one knows what CALEA compliance means on the Internet. The Commission refused to say, the FBI has been playing coy, and the rest of us just don't know."
Enacted in 1994, CALEA forces communications companies to make their networks easily accessible to law enforcement agencies. The FCC?s expansion of the regulations was first approved in a reinterpretation announced in August, prompting concern from privacy advocates and consumer groups worried over rising prices.
Joining EFF and CDT in the request are the American Library Association, Association of College and Research Libraries, Association of Research Libraries, Electronic Privacy Information Center, Champaign Urbana Community Wireless Network and several companies.
