14 DAY TRIAL // The Federal Bureau of Information has been wiretapping since?forever, but only recently have there been some scandals of them violating privacy and stuff like that. Some security experts have even stated that their huge data-bases of wiretapped info could represent a vulnerability for the US, should anyone hack them. Why is that? Because they intercept everyone's conversations! In any case, here's how they do it!
They have a special system, called DCSNet (Digital Collection System Network) and they use is to wiretap everything, yep, everything, from wire-line phones and cell phones to SMSes and "push-to-talk" systems. It doesn't just record calls, it even stores phone numbers! This is huge!
As I've seen on Wired, their software is formed of 3 modules, The DCS-3000, the DCS-6000 and the DCS-5000. Each of these has a different role - the first one only collects signaling information, it does not record content, there is no need for that, because the second module is doing it! The third part of the DCS is probably the most important, since it's used for wiretaps against spies, terrorists and such. So, with their surveillance technology, they can find out just about anything anytime. They store the info and keep it.
Some people think that they can never be wiretapped, because they only speak on cell phones, and only in their homes, when no one knows they're doing it... wrong! If the feds want to know what you're talking about on the phone, trust me, they will find out, no matter what your habits are and no matter what hardware you use. They don't even need to be anywhere near your, as these tapings are done remotely, and can be listened to from wherever. You can be in New York and an agent from Los Angeles can listen to your calls. There is no way you can trick the feds!