US Wiretap Report Released 48
sTeF writes "According to the 2010 Wiretap Report (Pdf), released today by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AOUSC) federal and state requests for court permission to intercept or wiretap electronic communications increased 34% in 2010 over 2009. California, New York, and New Jersey accounted for 68% of all wire taps approved by state judges."
Keep in mind... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Keep in mind... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:mob (Score:4, Insightful)
Did you say something about terrorists? I must have missed where anyone was discussing terrorists*.
Wiretaps have not and do not stop terrorists, and the number has increased EACH and EVERY year since 2002. These wiretaps have not led to a decrease in CRIME, a decrease in the existence of the mafia (RIAA+MPAA+BSA?) (other than The Sopranos being canceled), or any positive outcome.
Judges have REGULARLY allowed law enforcement to "latitude" in excess (abuse) of the 4th amendment.
I understand it's REALLY EASY to ignore the topic altogether and say "well it's higher in New York and New Jersey so it's ok." However, the Constitution's protections don't have a "some slashdot read thinks it's ok if it's only NY/NJ suffers so let's ignore it" clause. It's EQUAL protection under the LAW.
I tried to use big letters, because the little letters in the Fourth Amendment seem to have escaped attention.
E
*P.S. The "9/11" plane attackers had valid non-expired government issued photo IDs, no weapons, knives, liquids, or were caught on wiretaps. Some of them flew out of JFK (which is in NY). What's the mob connection there? Oh. None? You don't say. So this REALLY is an example of courts giving law enforcement privileges they shouldn't have WHICH IN NO WAY FIGHT TERRORISM, PAST, PRESENT, or FICTION? Got it.
Re:mob (Score:5, Insightful)
And How Many With No Court Permission? (Score:4, Insightful)
Oh, the gubmint won't release the numbers?