Report: FBI Talks To Google, Facebook About Wiretapping

By Matt McGee

Published: November 17, 2010 at 7:01 pm

The New York Times is reporting that FBI Director Robert S. Mueller met this week with executives from several tech firms — including Google and Facebook — to talk about a plan to make Internet wiretapping easier.

The Times says the US government is looking to expand a 1994 law, the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, to include online communications. The law currently requires network access providers, like phone and cable companies, to be able to respond immediately to court-ordered wiretapping.

Law enforcement officials want the 1994 law to also cover Internet companies because people increasingly communicate online. An interagency task force of Obama administration officials is trying to develop legislation for the plan, and submit it to Congress early next year.

Facebook confirmed Mueller’s visit, but Google declined to comment to the Times.

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About the author

Matt McGee

Matt McGee joined Third Door Media as a writer/reporter/editor in September 2008. He served as Editor-In-Chief from January 2013 until his departure in July 2017. He can be found on Twitter at @MattMcGee.