On Sun, 17 Dec 1995, Jay Holovacs wrote:
This is the reference I couldn't find for my previous post. It would seem to have some relevance here
Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 (ECPA) (18 U.S.C. ss 2510 et seq.). "It shall not be unlawful under this chapter for an operator of a switchboard, or an officer, employee, or agent of a provider of wire *or electronic* communication service, whose facilities are used in the trans- mission of a wire communication, to intercept, disclose, or use that communication in the normal course of his employment while engaged in any activity which is a necessary incident to the rendition of his service or to the protection of the rights or property of the provider of that service, except that a provider of wire communication service to the public shall not utilize service observing or random monitoring except for mechanical or service quality control checks." 18 USC section 2510(2)(a)(i).
Doesn't seem to leave much room for snooping on contents of messages.
I disagree. Instead it implies that interception and administrative review of content will be tolerated where it is "a necessary incident to the rendition of his service or to the protection of the rights or property of the provider of that service." Note that it will be the provider who makes the definition in the ex ante application. Even worse, the protection that is given is for "a provider of wire communication service to the public." I would be very surprised if, 1> "provider" was anything but a narrowly drawn definition, 2> provider to the public is not specifically narrowed as well.
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