Individual Members 

Member Surveys

Wiretapping the Internet

Mar 2004

Law enforcement and intelligence agencies around the world are increasingly concerned about the fact that terrorists, spies, and criminals are using the Internet.

In a number of countries, they are struggling to find ways to develop electronic surveillance tools that will enable them to wiretap Internet traffic in much the same way that they can wiretap telephone conversations today. A recent proposal by the US government has reignited concerns about surveillance in cyberspace (see www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54512-2004Mar12 or www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/200403/msg00122.html )

Over the last five years, the Internet Engineering Task Force has debated whether standards should be developed that would assistant government electronic surveillance efforts. (For example, ftp://ftp.rfc-editor.org/in-notes/rfc2804.txt )

1. How concerned are you about terrorism?

• Very concerned
• Concerned
• Somewhat concerned
• Not concerned

2. Are you concerned about the use of the Internet by terrorists, spies, and criminals?

• Very concerned
• Concerned
• Somewhat concerned
• Not concerned

3. When do you think governments should be allowed to wiretap the Internet?

• Whenever they want
• When they can document a clear danger
• Only with very strict safeguards and after an independent judicial review
• Never

4. If you live in the United States, do you expect the US government's recent proposal to be adopted?

• Yes,
• Yes, in large part
• No
• Don't Know

5. If you do not live in the United States, do you expect your government to pursue similar electronic surveillance capabilities?

• Yes
• Maybe
• No
• Don't Know

6. Do you think it is technologically possible to intercept Internet messages?

• Yes, it is easily done
• Yes, but it requires lots of money and expertise
• Yes, but it would require large changes to fundamental Internet standards
• No, it cannot be done without destroying the current Internet architecture
• Don't Know

7. Should the IETF support standards that would facilitate electronic surveillance by governments?

• Yes, definitely
• Yes, but only where it would not significantly affect the cost and operations of Internet service
• No
• Don't Know

8. If governments cannot wiretap the Internet, what should they do to improve their ability to find and track terrorists?

• Increase physical surveillance of suspects
• Expand telephone wiretaps
• Data mining on credit card and bank records
• Attempt to install spyware on PCs used by suspected terrorists
• Other ______________________________

9. Should the Internet Society actively opposed governments' efforts to wiretap the Internet?

• Definitely, it should be one of our top priorities
• Yes
• Yes, but only by supporting the work of other organizations
• No

SURVEY RESULTS

Summary of Results

In March 2004 125 members responded to Cyber Survey #9 on ‘Wiretapping the Internet'. Most respondents were "concerned" (35%) or "very concerned" (almost 33%) about terrorism. Most people who responded to the survey (more than 80%) are also concerned about the use of the Internet by terrorists, spies and criminals.

Fifty-seven percent of those surveyed indicated that governments should only be allowed to wiretap the Internet if there are very strict safeguards and after an independent judicial review. Twenty-two percent believe that wiretapping should be allowed provided that governments can document a clear danger. More than 16% think governments should never be allowed to wiretap the Internet.

Of those members who live in the US, 14% expect that a recent US government proposal will be adopted, while 25% think it might be adopted. Of those who live outside the US, almost 70% are of the opinion that their local government will or may pursue similar electronic surveillance capabilities.

It is interesting to note that 36% believe it is technologically easy to intercept messages on the Internet. Others believe it is at least possible, but would require a lot of money and expertise (35%) or cannot be done without fundamental changes to Internet standards. More than 13% think it cannot be done at all without destroying the Internet's architecture.

Almost 65% are opposed to the IETF supporting standards that would facilitate electronic surveillance by governments. On the other hand more than 30% think the IETF should support such standards. However, almost 18% believe the IETF should only do that if it doesn't significantly affect the cost.

When asked for other possibilities governments could use, it was suggested to either increase physical surveillance of suspects (42%) or to do data mining on credit cards and bank records (20%). Others suggested that governments should focus on eliminating possible causes of terrorism (e.g. poverty and lack of education).

Finally when asked if ISOC should actively oppose government's efforts to wiretap the Internet, 80% indicated that this should be among ISOC's
activities and more than a third of them indicated it should be a high priority.

Thank you to all of you who took the time to complete the survey.