Switches, routers, and any intermediate computers are fair game for warrantless wiretaps.
That is, at any time (the phrase "seconds or mili-seconds" [sic]) that the transmission is not actually on a wire. Most important, read the very nicely written dissent. The dissenting judge used the correct terms, referenced RFCs, and in general knew what he was talking about -- unlike the 2:1 majority! http://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/pdf.opinions/03-1383-01A.pdf "... Under Councilman's narrow interpretation of the Act, the Government would no longer need to obtain a court-authorized wiretap order to conduct such surveillance. This would effectuate a dramatic change in Justice Department policy and mark a significant reduction in the public's right to privacy. " Such a change would not, however, be limited to the interception of e-mails. Under Councilman's approach, the government would be free to intercept all wire and electronic communications that are in temporary electronic storage without having to comply with the Wiretap Act's procedural protections. That means that the Government could install taps at telephone company switching stations to monitor phone conversations that are temporarily "stored" in electronic routers during transmission. " [page 51-52] As this is a US Court of Appeals, it sets precedent that other courts will use, and directly applies to all ISPs in the NE US. -- William Allen Simpson Key fingerprint = 17 40 5E 67 15 6F 31 26 DD 0D B9 9B 6A 15 2C 32 --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Cryptography Mailing List Unsubscribe by sending "unsubscribe cryptography" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]