Posted by l33tdawg on Friday, July 20, 2007 - 12:39 AM (Reads: 9)
Source: Wired
An FBI unit reportedly facing a criminal investigation for Patriot Act abuses is asking Congress for $5.3 million in 2008 to pay three telecoms to build data centers to store Americans' communication records for years in order to provide the FBI "near real time" access to Americans' phone and internet records.
The FBI already pays three telecoms, including AT&T and Verizon, about $1.8 million a year to process written "emergency" requests for telephone and internet records. It says the 2008 requested funding (.pdf) will get them more than that.
The requested funding will allow for the development of data storage and retrieval systems by each contractor, accessible only by the contractor, for at least two years’ worth of network calling records. In addition, each contractor would provide a dedicated on-site employee to process the exigent lawful requests for data.
The Justice Department has long been pushing the nation's phone companies and internet providers to keep records about Americans' communications for longer periods of time. These contracts largely achieve the FBI's goals without having to persuading Congress or federal regulators to mandate data retention guidelines as Europe has. The new databases will store years of land line phone call, calling card, cell phone call and internet communication records.
source : hackinthebox.org
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