FCC votes 5-0 for Internet wiretapping; Verizon applauds [priv]

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

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My article on the decision itself:
http://news.com.com/Feds+back+wiretap+rules+for+Internet/2100-7352_3-5296417.html
"Broadband providers and Internet phone services must comply with 
wiretapping requirements designed for the traditional phone network, the 
Federal Communications Commission said in a preliminary decision Wednesday."

My column on questions to ask John Ashcroft and the FBI:
http://news.com.com/Fahrenheit+FBI/2010-7352_3-5300198.html
•  Your request to the FCC said that broadband and VoIP companies may raise 
prices to "recover their CALEA implementation costs from their customers." 
How do you square higher prices with President Bush's speech in March 
calling for "affordable broadband" for all Americans?
•  Congress gave telephone companies $500 million to buy new equipment to 
comply with CALEA. Why should Internet companies not receive the same 
treatment? Is it because Verizon, SBC and the other former Bells have 
well-connected lobbying outposts in Washington, D.C.--but Vonage, 8x8 and 
other VoIP start-ups do not?
•  Skype CEO Niklas Zennstrom told me last fall that "we do not have any 
legal obligation to provide any means for interception" in his company's 
VoIP software. How will you force a company based in Luxembourg to insert 
backdoors in its software when it has no obligation to do so?
[...remainder snipped...]

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http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=SVBIZINK3.story&STORY=/www/story/08-04-2004/0002225257&EDATE=WED+Aug+04+2004,+02:20+PM

Verizon Wireless Applauds FCC for Law Enforcement Assistance

    BEDMINSTER, N.J., Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) today ruled that CALEA, the Communications Assistance for Law
Enforcement Act, covers all voice telecommunications services, regardless of
technology used to transmit voice.   Steven Zipperstein, vice president and
general counsel at Verizon Wireless, commended the FCC, making the following
statement:
    "The Federal Communications Commission struck directly at criminals and
terrorists today in deciding that all voice communications -- irrespective of
technology -- are covered under the nation's wiretap laws.  Verizon Wireless
advocated this result and strongly agrees that law enforcement, when armed
with court-sanctioned authority, needs the ability to listen into suspected
criminals and terrorists whether they are communicating through traditional
voice technologies or using newer VoIP or push-to-talk services."
    About Verizon Wireless
    Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless
communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data
network and 40.4 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon
Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone
(NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at
http://www.verizonwireless.com. To receive broadcast-quality video footage of
Verizon Wireless operations, log onto
http://www.thenewsmarket.com/verizonwireless.
     MEDIA CONTACT:
     Jeffrey Nelson
     Verizon Wireless
     908.306.4824
     Jeffrey.Nelson () verizonwireless com
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