WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- The U.S. government is preparing new Internet rules aimed at improving its ability to wiretap criminal and terrorism suspects, a policy group says.
James X. Dempsey of the Center for Democracy and Technology told The New York Times the proposed changes have "huge implications" and challenge the "fundamental elements of the Internet revolution."
Federal law enforcement and national security officials want Congress to require all services that enable communications to be technically capable of complying if served with a wiretap order.
The mandate includes being able to intercept and unscramble encrypted messages.
"They are really asking for the authority to redesign services that take advantage of the unique, and now pervasive, architecture of the Internet," Dempsey said.
Several privacy and technology advocates argue that requiring interception capabilities would create holes that would inevitably be exploited by hackers.
The Obama administration plans to submit the new Internet rules to lawmakers next year.
