[jasonjackson]

I can't imagine how this ability would combat terrorism. It's trivially easy to write your own communication software -- why would anyone doing serious crime use Skype?

On the other hand, now the government gains widespread power over the vast majority of innocent citizens.

However, it's also worth noting that this request is merely reinstating wire tapping abilities that the government once had over communication before the rise of the internet.

[cnbeuiwx]

Does anybody even still believe this is about fighting "terrorism"? Its been quite a ridicolous claim ever since 9/11 and its been a decade now.

I dont mean to put you or anyone else down, because I know there is an absolutely massive media campaign 24/7 on all news stations, making people feel threatened and insecure.

But its time to realize whats going on. At least so you can tell your children what storytelling the government used to destroy the spirit of the Internet. Just in case the history books goes with the public propaganda, and they probably will.

[bdunbar]

why would anyone doing serious crime use Skype?

I don't agree with this at all but ...

I'd venture that most criminals are not exactly tech savvy. We've all seen those stories about guys caught because they posted pictures of their deeds on Facebook or Myspace.

[pdubs]

>I'd venture that most criminals are not exactly tech savvy

Even if this is currently true; it will change.

[thematt]

Will it? Criminals know they can be wiretapped, but that hasn't stopped them from using phones for communicating.

[bdunbar]

I don't believe criminals will be any smarter than the average citizen.