WASHINGTON-Push-to-talk services that use Internet protocol or packet-mode architectures are subject to the digital wiretap act, the Federal Communications Commission ruled Wednesday.
“In the companion declaratory ruling, we grant in part a law enforcement request that clarifies that commercial wireless PTT services are subject to CALEA regardless of the technologies CMRS providers choose to apply in offering them, ” said FCC Chairman Michael Powell. “Our support for law enforcement is unwavering; it is our goal in this proceeding to ensure that law enforcement agencies have all of the electronic surveillance capabilities that CALEA authorizes to combat crime and terrorism and support homeland security.”
The declaratory ruling on PTT services came as the FCC proposed rules to extend the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act to Internet protocol-or information-services. Law enforcement and industry have been in a tug-of-war for several years regarding whether information services were covered by CALEA. The FCC today said it tentatively concluded that they were because many of these services substantially replace regular wireline telephony services
