U.S. Wants to Make It Easier to Wiretap the Internet

In today's NewYork Times, Federal law enforcement and national security officials want Congress to require all services that enable communications (e.g., Blackberrys, Skype, social network sites like Facebook) to be technically capable of complying if served with a wiretap order. The mandate would include being able to intercept and unscramble encrypted messages.

"The bill, which the Obama administration plans to submit to lawmakers next year, raises fresh questions about how to balance security needs with protecting privacy and fostering innovation. And because security services around the world face the same problem, it could set an example that is copied globally."  The FBI refers to it as "lawfully authorized intercepts" and it up to the communication providers to allow authorities access to plain text views of encrypted communications.