FCC extends wiretap law to universities and libraries

The New York Times reports that the Federal Communications Commission in August extended the provisions of a 1994 wiretap law to universities, libraries, commercial Internet service providers, and airports and municipalities (like San Francisco or Philadelphia) that provide Internet access to the public. All Internet providers must comply with the law by spring 2007.

The law, the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, would require re-engineering networks so that all communications would be passed to a network operations center where data packets could be copied to law enforcement before traveling onto the Internet.

The universities are the most vocal objectors, arguing that the requirements will cost them billions of dollars while doing little to catch criminals. But the Justice Department is concerned that, as communication channels move from switched phone systems into digital communications moving in packets across the Internet, criminal suspects can easily evade surveillance. The FCC is considering exempting educational institutions from some of the law's provisions.