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ACLU Seeks Computer Code on Internet Wiretap System
- From: Paul Howell
- Date: Sat Jul 15 11:50:36 2000
At http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20000714/wr/aclu_fbi_dc_1.html
Friday July 14 6:26 PM ET
ACLU Seeks Computer Code on Internet Wiretap System
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A top civil liberties group demanded on Friday that
the FBI reveal the computer source code and other information about an
automated system to wiretap e-mails of criminal suspects.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a Freedom of Information Act
request seeking all of the codes, records, letters and memorandums related
to the FBI programs dubbed ''Carnivore'', ``Omnivore'' and ``Etherpeek.''
``The FBI is saying 'trust us, we're not violating anybody's privacy,'''
said Barry Steinhardt, associate director of the ACLU. ``With all due
respect, we'd like to determine that for ourselves.''
In addition to e-mails, the system can monitor visits to Web sites and
Internet chat sessions, something which has also raised concerns among
privacy advocates.
The FBI declined to comment on the request.
Attorney General Janet Reno, who ultimately is responsible for the FBI, said
on Thursday she would review the new automated computer system to determine
whether it infringes on privacy rights and she emphasized that wiretaps
cannot be done without an appropriate court order.
The computer system has also attracted the interest of Congress as the House
Judiciary Committee's Constitution subcommittee said on Friday it would hold
a hearing on July 24.
``In this high-tech age, we must continually check to ensure that Fourth
Amendment rights are protected, particularly as Internet advances provide
greater tools for law enforcement,'' said Rep. Charles Canady, a Florida
Republican who heads the panel.
The Fourth Amendment protects Americans from unreasonable search and
seizure.
The congressional hearing will zero in on the balance between law
enforcement needs and privacy rights as well as whether current laws provide
the federal government with the authority to use such surveillance systems
like Carnivore.
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