[117935] in Cypherpunks
FBI, Cos. Strike Software Agreement
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Anonymous)
Thu Sep 16 00:56:45 1999
Date: Thu, 16 Sep 1999 06:34:19 +0200 (CEST)
Message-Id: <199909160434.GAA17420@mail.replay.com>
From: Anonymous <nobody@replay.com>
To: cypherpunks@toad.com
Reply-To: Anonymous <nobody@replay.com>
FBI, Cos. Strike Software Agreement
Filed at 7:49 p.m. EDT
By The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The FBI reached a first-of-its-kind agreement enabling telecommunications companies to use computer software made by Nortel Networks to assist law enforcement agencies in conducting lawfully authorized wiretapping.
The agreement calls for Nortel, a major supplier of telecommunications equipment, to provide certain software to its carrier customers. Nortel will waive the license fees.
The 1994 Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act authorized $500 million for the purpose of reimbursing the telecommunications industry for its costs in cooperating with law enforcement agencies in wiretapping.
``Carriers can now begin taking steps to correct technological impediments within their networks that currently prevent law enforcement from being able to carry out court-ordered electronic surveillance directed at suspected criminals and terrorists,'' Attorney General Janet Reno said in a statement.
The telecommunication carrier Ameritech also is a party to the agreement. FBI Director Louis Freeh said the bureau is working toward finalizing similar reimbursement agreements with other carriers and manufacturers.
