FBI

Since the mid-1980s, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been concerned that its wiretapping abilities have not kept pace with the rapid spread of new technologies, such as cellular telephones and satellites. The Bureau considers wiretapping an essential information gathering tool in fighting crime. This report discusses the (1) technological alternatives available or soon-to-be available to the FBI to wiretap voice and data communications, (2) changes required to the telecommunications network to accommodate least intrusive wiretaps, and (3) estimated cost of developing and implementing such changes.

GAO found that: (1) the technologies in use and the locations of the taps determine the wiretap alternatives available and the changes in the telecommunications network needed to accommodate the least detectable wiretaps; (2) FBI has not comprehensively analyzed the technological alternatives and changes needed for wiretapping current and emerging technologies; (3) FBI has identified neither the costs of the needed alternatives and modifications nor who will pay for them; (4) during development of the new technologies, telephone company security officers did not inform the companies' technical experts of FBI wiretapping needs; and (5) FBI-proposed legislation identifies some of its wiretapping needs, but did not fully address how the telephone company would comply with FBI requirements or who would pay for needed telecommunication system changes.