Many people are concerned about the legality of the government or authorities listening in on conversations and monitoring other forms of communication, but it is a perfectly legal practice in certain situations and there are few different methods used to do it. Some of the major communication techniques which can be monitored with lawful intercept include VoIP, voice, fax, FoIP, and more. Both public and private communication service providers are legally required to use networks which are designed to support this legal electronic surveillance. Lawful intercept is used to monitor communication between individuals who are suspected of dangerous and illegal behavior, and is in place both nationally and internationally.
How Does It Work?
Law enforcement officials are granted access to the communications taking place between private individuals or organizations by the providers when they have the legal backing to monitor them. Because these providers are required to put equipment and software in place which allows for this lawful interception, it is no challenge for them to tap into the right lines. Communication service providers are required to put compliance measures in place which ensure that the persons being monitored are unaware of the surveillance in order to make it effective as a means of accurate information gathering. There are two different options for analyzing communications data. It can be both recorded and then decoded for analysis at a later date, or they can use real time analysis by monitoring the digital or mechanical switches in charge of the target calls. Of course, with communications moving toward packet switching, lawful intercept is changing as well to accommodate. But, it is a communication monitoring method which is not going away.
Why Is It Used?
It is important to understand that lawful intercept is not used all the time without legal backing and reason. The monitoring of private conversations and communication of individuals or organizations without express consent of the law is illegal and not tolerated. It can be a very involved process for a group of legal investigators or authorities to gain permission and access to private conversations, and they only do so when there is very good reason. It is used to analyze patterns and connections between groups of malicious parties intending to cause harm or otherwise subvert the law. It can be used to monitor criminals, terrorists, dirty corporations, and many other groups which are up to less than legal or acceptable activities. Overall, it is meant as an information gathering technique which can result in lives saved and crimes prevented all around the world. Websites for companies which provide lawful intercept softwar.
