Phones and errr Phones

[Roland Perry]

In message <3.0.2.32.20020405072927.01282f1c@192.168.0.1>, Donald
ramsbottom <donald@ramsbottom.co.uk> writes
>I may be being dim here, but I have a question. What is the difference
>between a phone call and using a chat system like "Roger Wilco" or "Battle
>chat". Both give realtime voice exchange. In both you talk into a "box" via
>a handset/headset and both are connected to a public Telephone system by
>differeing sorts of "Box".

In terms of the ability of a SP to provide the service (ie does he need
a licence), Oftel recently issued this advice:

http://www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/internet/2002/voip0402.htm

>The reason I ask is that there are different rules governing phone taps to
>computer data, and differing levels of authority.

There are no differences. RIPA is entirely technology neutral here, and
the issue of VoIP (or indeed any other content conveyed by IP) has been
discussed and is well understood, for over 2 years. In other words, you
always need an interception warrant.

>But from a lay persons
>point of view

And the law's

>they produce the same result, that is, a real time conversation.
>
>Secondly are the *.WAV files stored at an ISP or some other server (for RW
>and BC), and if not how will the ISP defend itself against the proposed new
>requirements to store Comms data?

Content is not Comms data. The two are entirely different. The new
requirements might one day cause ISPs to have to preserve any logs kept
by VoIP servers, but only to the extent of what are the IP numbers of
the two ends and what time the transaction took place. To that extent
it's no different to storing phone bills, or details of SMS's.
-- 
             Roland Perry | tel: +44 20 7645 3505 | roland@linx.org
Director of Public Policy | fax: +44 20 7645 3529 | http://www.linx.net
 London Internet Exchange | mbl: +44 7909 68 0005 |       /contact/roland