ELECTRONIC WIRETAPS TRIPLED LAST YEAR The number of wiretaps placed by state and federal law enforcement officials on cell phones, pagers, e-mail and other telecommunications devices nearly tripled last year, and for the first time wiretaps on cell phones and pagers outnumbered those on conventional telephones. About three-quarters of the 1,329 wiretaps authorized were related to drug cases, according to a report issued by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Wiretaps on wireless communications devices -- cell phones and pagers -- more than doubled, from 206 in 1997 to 576 last year, and for the first time, five e-mail wiretaps were implemented. (USA Today 21 May 99) http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/ctf213.htm -- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University [EMAIL PROTECTED] Chico, CA 95929 530-898-5321 fax 530-898-5901
