JAG
10-26-2005, 03:15 PM
Bush Administration Hands Universities an Unfunded Mandate to Spy on Students
Oct 24, 2005
The Federal Communications Commission, using the 1994 Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, is requiring universities to upgrade their Internet computer networks to make it easier for law enforcement to monitor online communications such as email, according to a New York Times story.
The FEC order expands the 1994 law to now include universities, libraries, Internet service providers and providers of Wi-Fi internet service. The law was originally intended to force telephone carriers to upgrade their switching systems to make it easier for federal law enforcement to obtain surveillance access.
The Justice Department, which prodded the FEC to issue the recent directive, cited the need to keep pace with new technologies like telephone service over the internet that made it necessary to update the 1994 law.
Out of all the groups who are required to comply with the 1994 wiretapping law, colleges and universities have been the most vocal in their opposition, according to the New York Times. Universities have criticized the federal government for not providing funds. It has been estimated by various technology experts that it will cost universities $7 billion to install new computer network equipment in order to comply with the new regulations. Terry W. Hartle, the senior vice president for the American Council on Education, commented, "This is the mother of all unfunded mandates."
Hartle also stated that the FEC order will force universities to increase their annual tuition to cover the computer network upgrade. Many universities feel federal law enforcement has not demonstrated a compelling need to justify the federal mandated network upgrades.
James Dempsey, executive director of the Center for Democracy and Technology, stated, "We keep asking the FBI, What is the problem you're trying to solve? And they have never showed any problem with any university or any for-profit Internet access provider. The FBI must demonstrate precisely why it wants to impose such an enormously disruptive and expensive burden.
Oct 24, 2005
The Federal Communications Commission, using the 1994 Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, is requiring universities to upgrade their Internet computer networks to make it easier for law enforcement to monitor online communications such as email, according to a New York Times story.
The FEC order expands the 1994 law to now include universities, libraries, Internet service providers and providers of Wi-Fi internet service. The law was originally intended to force telephone carriers to upgrade their switching systems to make it easier for federal law enforcement to obtain surveillance access.
The Justice Department, which prodded the FEC to issue the recent directive, cited the need to keep pace with new technologies like telephone service over the internet that made it necessary to update the 1994 law.
Out of all the groups who are required to comply with the 1994 wiretapping law, colleges and universities have been the most vocal in their opposition, according to the New York Times. Universities have criticized the federal government for not providing funds. It has been estimated by various technology experts that it will cost universities $7 billion to install new computer network equipment in order to comply with the new regulations. Terry W. Hartle, the senior vice president for the American Council on Education, commented, "This is the mother of all unfunded mandates."
Hartle also stated that the FEC order will force universities to increase their annual tuition to cover the computer network upgrade. Many universities feel federal law enforcement has not demonstrated a compelling need to justify the federal mandated network upgrades.
James Dempsey, executive director of the Center for Democracy and Technology, stated, "We keep asking the FBI, What is the problem you're trying to solve? And they have never showed any problem with any university or any for-profit Internet access provider. The FBI must demonstrate precisely why it wants to impose such an enormously disruptive and expensive burden.