Skype-to-Skype calls a terror risk?
The new issue of TIME magazine offers a sobering assessment of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's ability to intercept phone calls made over the Internet.
Last week, after FBI prompting, the FCC issued an edict requiring most VoIP providers install software that could accommodate authorized wiretaps. This capability is to be in place within 18 months. In fact, Vonage is already working on the problem.
What's more problematic - as the piece points out, is peer-to-peer Internet calls made from one computer to another. The most obvious example of this would be a Skype-to-Skype call.
Until this issue is resolved, a peer-to-peer call of this nature would be that much more difficult to pinpoint and then intercept while it is in progress.
I'd like to know what you think. Do you regard VoIP intercept capability as a legitimate tool to investigate, prosecute and preempt illegal acts? Or is this "Big Brother" run amok in the name of Homeland Security? And what about those PC to PC calls?
Post a TalkBack and let us know what you think.