Internet Surveillance: A New Task for Universities?

Academe, Jul/Aug 2004

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and other law-enforcement agencies have petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expand the rules permitting telephone wiretapping to cover Internet communications as well. The FCC has circulated a public notice of the law-enforcement petition and sought public comment on it.

To facilitate convenient surveillance of Internet communications, the law-enforcement agencies propose requiring providers of public access to Internet services (universities and public libraries, for example) to modify their existing computers to make them compatible with law-enforcement surveillance equipment. The agencies also want an expanded rule requiring that an information technology specialist be available around the clock to allow immediate access to campus and library computer systems.

The AAUP has joined opponents of the petition, who have argued in comments submitted to the FCC that the proposed expansion would be a major intrusion into the privacy of Internet users. The comments "reject the notion that a ubiquitous capability to monitor library patrons, university students, or researchers using the Internet was ever intended or authorized by Congress." Finally, the comments point out that the proposed rale would impose a major expense on universities and libraries, straining their capacity to offer public access to computers. Supporters of the petition are now seeking legislation to accomplish the same goal.