| John Navas 2007-04-21, 4:33 am |
| <http://www.theregister.com/2007/04/...s_wiretap_laws/>
A bill extending wiretapping provisions to cell phones and covering a
wider range of crimes - including kidnaping, human trafficking and
money laundering - has been approved by the Texas Senate.
Only murder, drug-related crimes and child pornography investigations
are covered by existing lawful interception laws in Texas, AP reports
(http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/4730250.html). Wiretaps
authorised by the proposed laws could be used to authorise the
tracking of suspect's mobile, land line and online activities in
multiple locations; unlike current laws which are location specific.
The draft Homeland Security legislation also places tighter controls
on the sale of prepaid phones. Retailers will be asked to keep
records of customers in a move that means prepaid phones can no
longer be bought over the counter without ID. Customers will have to
supply their name and address, date of birth or Social Security
number, while sales would be limited to five prepaid cell phones at a
time.
Police in Texas were also given the legislative go-ahead to use CCTV
footage at toll booths to prosecute crime.
Sen. John Carona, the architect of the bill, argued that the
legislation would help police to fight organised crime and terrorism
in the state. Critics said the measures extended crimes labeled as
homeland security issues too far.
One Democrat senator voiced concerns over whether the bill infringed
Texans' civil liberties, particular the friends and relatives of
suspects, but the proposals ultimately received the unanimous
approval of the state's upper house. The bill was passed down to the
House of Representatives in Texas for further consideration.
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