Feds say court-ordered wiretaps are harder because more now use chat, IM

Reuters


Reuters

"Federal law enforcement and intelligence authorities say they are increasingly struggling to conduct court-ordered wiretaps on suspects because of a surge in chat services, instant messaging and other online communications that lack the technical means to be intercepted," Ellen Nakashima at the Washington Post reports.

"A 'large percentage' of wiretap orders to pick up the communications of suspected spies and foreign agents are not being fulfilled, FBI officials said."