You are here:

Computer Law/Privacy laws

Advertisement

Expert: - 11/11/2008


Question
My nephew and I were talking about the lawsuit filed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) against AT&T for violating the privacy of its customers by collaborating with the National Security Agency (NSA) to wiretap communications again raises the question of privacy of information. Did AT&T's decision to allow NSA to wiretap the communications of its customers result in the infringement of privacy. If so,personal privacy laws or regulations apply to this case.  What justification can the NSA have for carrying out surveillance of communication of AT&T's consumers?

Answer
Hi John,

I will address your two questions.

"Did AT&T's decision to allow NSA to wiretap the communications of its customers result in the infringement of privacy?"

Well according to the NSA it did not and it fell under the Patriot Act. Thats what the court action is about. Personally, I do not feel they violated anything as they were acting within the guidelines of the Patriot Act.

Your second question, "What justification can the NSA have for carrying out surveillance of communication of AT&T's consumers?"

First it was not "ALL" of its customers, only a very small portion. And it was directed at possible terrorist activity. I think is justification to monitor some of the accounts. Terrorism has really taken off on the Internet and the terrorist are using the net to talk to each other, and also to send data. I have no problem with the NSA monitoring those transmissions in order to try and get information on these people.

Hope that helps to explain it..

Computer Law

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Chris Wagoner

Expertise

I can answer questions concerning Computer Crime Investigations and Internet investigations including Computer Crime Laws both at the State level and Federal level. I can answer questions on almost any crime in which a computer is used. In addition I can answer questions concerning copywrite infringement (peer to peer, and copying). I served as a police Commander and conducted and still conduct Computer Crime Investigations at the Local, State and Federal level. I have investigated all most any kind of crime with which or which involved a computer and the internet, from murders, kidnappings, extortion, drug dealing and more. I can answer questions concerning Computer Forensics (the art of recovering information from a suspects computer), Computer Crime Investigations and Internet Investigations. I am a Federally Court Recognized Expert in Computer Crime and Computer Forensics. I have worked in both Facebook and MySPace, also in Peer to Peer investigations. In addition I can answer questions concerning child predators and how to make your children safer on-line. I teach Computer Forensics, Internet Investigations, Peer to Peer Investigations and other computer crime related subjects for several colleges and the Institute of Police Technology and Management. My hobby webpage - Military Videos - http://www.youtube.com/user/3rdID8487

Experience

I conduct computer crime investigations in conjunction with the F.B.I., Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Gainesville Police Department, and University of Florida Police Department, Levi County Sheriff’s Office, Starke Police Department and other agencies in the North Florida Court District. I provide the forensic data recovery services for those agencies as well as internet tracing and information gathering. I am a Federal Court Certified Expert in Computer Crime Investigations and Forensics. I teach Computer Forensics for the University of North Florida, Institute of Police Technology and Management. I also teach Computer Crime courses for Tallahassee Community College, Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Training Center. Associate Instructor; teach Computer Crime courses thorough out the world for IPTM. Presently Teach Cyber Crime Investigations, Computer Crime Investigations and Computer Forensic Data Recovery Course.

Education/Credentials
2 Degrees in Criminal Justice, now teach college level Data Forensics classes

Awards and Honors
Awarded the FBI Directors Award for assisting the FBI in a National Computer Crime Investigation. Awarded Dec 2002

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.