dslreports logo
 story category
FBI Whines That Some ISPs Stand Up to Them
Tries to Shame Carriers to Expand Surveillance Powers

If anything, carriers have been too mindlessly helpful when it comes to letting the government spy on its citizens, whether it's offering intelligence agencies wholesale illegal access to their networks, or actually giving advice on how to break privacy and surveillance laws. So it's curious to see that FBI has been trying to collect examples of uncooperative ISPs as ammunition in their latest effort to expand spying powers.

An internal Homeland Security report obtained by the EFF and dissected by CNET highlights the FBI's plan to gather this data, citing Cricket, MetroPCS, Comcast, and T-Mobile as companies that have impeded the FBI's goals in one way or another. While the FBI claims they had technical issues with carriers (which Cricket denies), the bigger issue appears to be that some ISPs are having problems with Homeland Security's overly-broad interpretation of wiretap and surveillance law:

quote:
Greg Lund, a spokesman for Cricket, told CNET today that "we review all incoming legal requests to determine what information is requested and whether disclosure of that information is lawfully permitted pursuant to the type of request submitted." If disclosure is legally permitted, he said, Cricket turns over the data, but "if not, we deny the request."...Homeland Security's response said its agents had encountered problems when interacting with some mobile and broadband companies -- including Comcast, MetroPCS, and T-Mobile -- though none of the delays or glitches were reported to have derailed a criminal investigation. Other delays appear to be due to disagreements that companies had with Homeland Security's interpretation of the law.
Keep in mind that the government's idea of a cooperative ISP is someone like AT&T, who not only gave the FBI advice on how to get around domestic spying law, but actually in some instances gleefully acted as intelligence analysts. AT&T has historically not only provided the FBI with information requested, but records show they turned over reams of unasked for data from people vaguely associated with surveillance targets just to be "helpful."

When that's the kind of cooperation the FBI has grown used to, there's little wonder they act aghast when a carrier actually decides to adhere to the law.

Most recommended from 45 comments


sandman_1
join:2011-04-23
11111

2 recommendations

sandman_1

Member

Big Brother is here...

You gotta think they (the government) are planning something big on the horizon for us poor chaps not in the loop. Ever notice how many cameras are now up around your town, especially at stoplights?

1. Patriot Act
2. National Defense Authorization Act
3. The Next Generation Identification program (FBI's new national facial recognition program)
4. Using the cell phone companies to belligerently spy on citizens
5. National Emergency Centers Establishment Act
6. Homeland Security

People really need to start paying attention to all of this...
Mr Matt
join:2008-01-29
Eustis, FL

2 recommendations

Mr Matt

Member

Abuse of power for government to spy on citizens.

There is a difference between an active investigation about a specific legal issue and trolling to look for something illegal. There is a whole new police schemes called stings. The same thing holds true with spying on citizens. With advancements in technology communication whether voice of text can be screened for key words. Call your accountant about a questionable tax exemption and get audited by the IRS. Ask a doctor about medical marijuana and get a visit by the DEA.

You see the abuse of power to spy at the airport. The purpose of the TSA was to prevent terrorist acts by passengers. When the protectors use their authority to snoop on passengers, that is over the top. The TSA questioning a person about their prescription controlled substances is outrageous and none of the governments business. Bring to much money with you and it might be seized as drug money and you will have to prove it was legal. Screening for anything other then weapons or dangerous materials should be declared illegal. The turn of this century was the end of respect for the constitution.