Zfone voip exempt from CALEA, US phone tapping law
In followup questions to my interview with Phil Zimmermann, I asked how Zfone, his encrypted VoIP phone project, reconciled with CALEA, the US phone tapping law which enables Homeland Security and other US agencies to decrypt and listen to VoIP phone calls. Phil referred me to his faq, which says:
“… Only Zfone’s end users are involved in the key negotiation, and CALEA does not apply to end users… “
Oh, well… that’s great. I predict: Homeland Security and other sensitive US agencies will probably use Zfone, AND so will the people they spy on… shhh… don’t tell anyone I plan to test Zfone…
Phil’s one-word clarification on phone safety: Are land line phones inherently safer than VoIP? If I don’t plan to use a product like Zfone, is it wise to stick with my phone’s traditional land line [PSTN] for now? “Yes.” Further, on Window’s safety:
(image sourced from: Caroll, Lewis: “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” (1865) Liam’s Pictures from Old Books)
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