An investigation into the possibility of
tapping internet telephony conversations has been launched by the
European Union’s Judicial Co-Operation Unit, also known as Eurojust.
[zdnet.co.uk] Italy is leading the Europe-wide feasibility study, announced on Friday. The Italian government has cited concerns that organised criminals and arms and drug traffickers are using VoIP services such as Skype to avoid traditional, more easily-tapped phone networks.
"The
possibility of intercepting internet telephony will be an essential
tool in the fight against international organised crime within Europe
and beyond," said Carmen Manfredda, Eurojust’s acting national member
for Italy, in a statement. "Our aim is not to stop users from taking
advantage of internet telephony, but to prevent criminals from using
Skype and other systems to plan and organise their unlawful actions.
Eurojust will make all possible efforts to coordinate and assist in the
cooperation between Member States."
Manfredda and
Eurojust’s Italian desk are co-ordinating the VoIP-tapping
investigations, at the request of Italy’s national anti-Mafia
directorate. According to Eurojust’s statement, the investigation will
try to "overcome the technical and judicial obstacles to the
interception of internet telephony systems, taking into account the
various data protection rules and civil rights."
Skype
told ZDNet UK on Friday that has given an extensive explanation of its
law enforcement programme and capabilities to Eurojust. It rejected
press reports that it had refused cooperate with the authorities, and
said that it works with law enforcement agencies where legally and
technically possible. "Skype remains interested in working with
Eurojust despite the fact that they chose not to contact us before
issuing this inaccurate report", a spokesperson for the eBay-owned internet telephony company said.
Source: http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/0,1000000085,39616928,00.htm
