The FBI CALEA folks have always had a somewhat expansive interpretation of their authorities.

For example, "dialed digit extraction." The court cases supporting pen registers are based on business record exception, i.e. Smith v. Maryland says dial numbers are disclosed to the telephone company so the phone company can connect and bill the call do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy. The FBI expanded its pen-register authority to include all numbers dialed *DURING* the call because in the 1970's pen-register technology didn't stop recording digits (i.e. the "clicks") after a call was answered. Although modern pen-register technology can distinguish between numbers dialed for the purpose of connecting the call, and numbers dialed during the call (i.e. your online banking PIN), and dialed digit extraction during VOIP calls is an extreme pain in the ass.

In the 1990's, the FBI convinced the FCC to order carriers under CALEA to do dialed digit extraction because "that's what they've always done," not because its what the law and court cases required. Even the FCC says in its CALEA order, the FBI's justification was flimsy but the FCC wasn't willing to oppose the FBI.

As several folks have pointed out, talk to your own legal counsel.  The
FBI CALEA website is the FBI's interpretation of its authority, not necessarily what your own counsel would advise.

Reply via email to