Facebook reportedly avoided DOJ wiretap of Messenger calls
Court filings have shown that the government was able to intercept phone calls and Messenger texts during its investigation, but three Messenger voice calls of interest were inaccessible. And while federal law requires telecommunications companies to provide law enforcement with access to phone calls when presented with a wiretap order, internet-based services aren't covered under that law. Facebook argued, apparently successfully, that Messenger fell within that exemption. This move followed a number of attempts by the DOJ and FBI to gain access to mobile devices, asking companies like Apple to create backdoors through which they could acquire encrypted data. Sixteen suspected MS-13 members, including the individuals involved in the Messenger voice calls, were indicted earlier this month.
US government loses bid to force Facebook to wiretap Messenger calls
besides US government investigators have lost a case to force Facebook to wiretap calls made over its Messenger app. The case, filed in a Fresno, Calif. district court, centers on alleged gang members accused of murder and other crimes. Reuters said that an affidavit submitted by an FBI agent said that "there is no practical method available by which law enforcement can monitor" calls on Facebook Messenger . Although Facebook-owned WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption to prevent eavesdroppers, not even the company can listen in — which law enforcement have long claimed that this hinders investigations. But Facebook Messenger doesn't end-to-end encrypt voice calls, making real-time listening in on calls possible.
Facebook reportedly avoided DOJ wiretap of Messenger calls
Court filings have shown that the government was able to intercept phone calls and Messenger texts during its investigation, but three Messenger voice calls of interest were inaccessible. And while federal law requires telecommunications companies to provide law enforcement with access to phone calls when presented with a wiretap order, internet-based services aren't covered under that law. Facebook argued, apparently successfully, that Messenger fell within that exemption. This move followed a number of attempts by the DOJ and FBI to gain access to mobile devices, asking companies like Apple to create backdoors through which they could acquire encrypted data. Sixteen suspected MS-13 members, including the individuals involved in the Messenger voice calls, were indicted earlier this month.
As it stated in US government investigators have lost a case to force Facebook to wiretap calls made over its Messenger app. The case, filed in a Fresno, Calif. district court, centers on alleged gang members accused of murder and other crimes. Reuters said that an affidavit submitted by an FBI agent said that "there is no practical method available by which law enforcement can monitor" calls on Facebook Messenger . Although Facebook-owned WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption to prevent eavesdroppers, not even the company can listen in — which law enforcement have long claimed that this hinders investigations. But Facebook Messenger doesn't end-to-end encrypt voice calls, making real-time listening in on calls possible.
US government loses bid to force Facebook to wiretap Messenger calls
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