Author_Institution :
Electron. Privacy Inf. Center, Washington, DC, USA
Abstract :
In February 2001, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) renamed its controversial Internet surveillance tool, Carnivore, as the innocuous-sounding “DCS1000”. Although the move is sensible from a public relations perspective, more than the system´s name must change to protect innocent Internet users´ rights. According to the FBI, Carnivore (as everyone outside the Bureau still calls it) allows law enforcement agents to intercept and collect e-mail and other electronic communications only when authorized by a court order. What is so controversial about Carnivore, and why has it provoked strong negative reactions from privacy advocates, editorial boards and members of the US Congress? The answers lie in how the system works and who controls it
Keywords :
Internet; data privacy; electronic mail; surveillance; Carnivore; DCS1000; FBI; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Internet surveillance tool; Internet user rights; authorization; court orders; electronic communications interception; electronic mail; law enforcement agents; negative reactions; online privacy; public relations; Computer displays; Ethernet networks; Information filtering; Information filters; Internet; Law enforcement; Privacy; Surveillance; Telecommunication traffic; Telephony;
