EU to investigate VoIP-tapping techniques

An investigation into the possibility of tapping Internet telephony conversations has been launched by the European Union's Judicial Cooperation Unit, also known as Eurojust.

Italy is leading the Europe-wide feasibility study, announced on Friday. The Italian government has cited concerns that organized 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 organized 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 organize 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 coordinating 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 it has given an extensive explanation of its law enforcement program 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.

David Meyer of ZDNet UK reported from London.

[expatincebu]

So what is needed is a public key voice encryption add-on for skype. Then I can talk to number 2 about my plan to steal a nuclear warhead and blackmail the U.N. for ONE MILLION DOLLARS! and the dirty cops will never be the wiser.

[Dylan_Wisor]

Cue people claiming violation of free speech.

[TheTechKid]

Or perhaps just a violation of privacy...I don't think free speech has anything to do with this.

[globalist_agenda]

But it's for the c-h-i-l-d-r-e-n. If it's for the children or fights "organized crime" you can completely throw out the constitution. Mayor Daley wants a camera on every street corner but he won't investigate crooked city contracts. The UK has 4 million cameras but they don't think that is enough, now they want them in pubs too. And let's not forget cameras trained on trash cans. Another great UK invention.

[Atlas_]

"The Constitution"???? This is in Europe, our constitution isn't in force there, they have none of it's protections and shouldn't whine about it. Don't like the EU listining into your skype? Then DON"T CALL INTO EUROPE!!

On a side note is it just me or are cops around the globe getting lazier and lazier???? If they want to listen into the mafia's plans they need to break in and plant listening devises. This VIOP wiretapping seems too easy.

[Vegaman_Dan]

Are we *sure* the old USSR is defunct or has it just changed its name to the EU?

[rodLX]

don't be ridiculous, maybe you're worried about mafia's members privacy...

[abdosq]

very good