CNet speculates on the mechanics of NSA wiretapping
CNet has an interesting piece looking at some of the physical possibilities and limitations of tapping "international" communications. It's pretty vague, a little long, and not very clearly written, but the bottom line is that, by far, the easiest way to do this would be to walk into the major telecoms and gain access through their switches. If this is what was done, the tapping was done on US soil with the cooperation of the major telecoms, they could be in some real legal trouble.
"Under federal law, any person or company who helps someone "intercept any wire, oral, or electronic communication"--unless specifically authorized by law--could face criminal charges."Also of note, USAToday Reported Monday that AT&T, MCI, and Sprint have been cooperating with the NSA, and there seems to be some question as to whether they received a warrant or any other such documents, a letter from Gonzales for instance.
posted by mikevotes at
12:51 PM
2 Comments:
Aside from the EFF class action against the Telcos (which I think is brilliant BTW), going after the Telcos on a point law may be the best was to do an end run around Bu$hCo--put the brakes on what's going on, because it's pretty clear that we won't get to the bottom of what they're doing going through congressional hearings.
By
Anonymous, at 2:59 PM
That's kind of what I'm thinking. It'd be easier to get the details in a civil suit against the telcos rather than going after the administration and their ability to classify and claim national security.
Certainly, that will be tried by the telcos, but I don't think it would hold as much weight with a judge, as their claim of "breaking the law to protect us" just isn't very compelling.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 3:48 PM
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