Originally published August 9 2005
FBI plans to tap wireless airplane bandwidth
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Groups from around the country are getting ready to fight the FBI on their proposal to tap internet use on airplanes for security purposes.
The FBI, Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security jointly asked the FCC for the enhanced surveillance powers last month, citing fears that terrorists could use on-board internet access to communicate with confederates on other planes, on the ground or in different sections on the same plane during an attack.
This would include the ability to cut off a passenger's internet access quickly, deny passengers' access without affecting the flight crew's connection, or redirect communications to and from the aircraft in the event of a crisis.
Particularly nettlesome to civil libertarians, the plan would force providers to keep a log of every internet connection each passenger makes from the air, tied to name and seat number.
The log -- which would not include the contents of the communications -- would have to be maintained for 24 hours after the flight, in case law enforcement wants to review it.
"There are serious Fourth Amendment and privacy implications from the proposed 24-hour, full-time anticipatory wiretapping of everybody," says Morris.
The FBI is resting its request on the 1994 Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, a federal law that required telephone companies to modify their networks to be more wiretap-friendly.
Last year, law enforcement officials persuaded the FCC to interpret the law as it applies to internet traffic over cable modems and DSL lines.
The FCC is considering implementing a licensing scheme that would encourage more companies to enter the satellite-based in-flight broadband market.
Boeing's Connexion system lets passengers plug into a wired ethernet jack or connect wirelessly over 802.11b, and is available on select flights on a handful of international carriers, including Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines and Korean Air.
Boeing says it is neither opposing nor supporting the FBI's request, but will comply with the FCC's final decision.
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