FBI Looks to have Websites Wiretap Ready

The FBI is pushing a plan to force surveillance backdoors on social networks, VoIP, and e-mail providers. The FBI is asking Internet companies not to oppose a laws designed to make it easier to do so. FBI officials claim that the Internet has made it more difficult for agents to wiretap Americans suspected of illegal activities. The FBI has drafted a proposed law that require these alter their code to ensure their products are wiretap-friendly.

"If you create a service, product, or app that allows a user to communicate, you get the privilege of adding that extra coding," an industry representative who has reviewed the FBI's draft legislation. The requirements apply only if a threshold of a certain number of users is exceeded.

In addition, the Federal Communications Commission is considering a demand for products that allow video or voice chat over the Internet include surveillance backdoors to help the FBI with its "Going Dark" program. "We have noticed a massive uptick in the amount of inquiries and enforcement proceedings within the last year, most of which are intended to address 'Going Dark' issues," says Christopher Canter, lead compliance counsel at the Marashlian and Donahue law firm. "This generally means that the FCC is laying the groundwork for regulatory action."

The FBI's legislation, which has been approved by the Department of Justice, is one component of what the bureau has called the "National Electronic Surveillance Strategy."