The Obama administration is working with Federal Bureau of Investigation to back a plan for a total overhaul of surveillance laws on the internet. 

The main push is to make it easier to wiretap people who communicate using the Internet as traditional phone services are not being used as frequently. 

This will enhance the 1994 law that already requires phone and network carriers to build interception capabilities into their systems to help FBI key in on someone if needed.  The next step now will be using the same rules for internet traffic.  

Andrew Weissmann, the general counsel of the F.B.I., gave a statement saying that the proposal was aimed only at preserving law enforcement officials' longstanding ability to investigate suspected criminals, spies and terrorists subject to a court's permission.

"This doesn't create any new legal surveillance authority," he said. "This always requires a court order. None of the 'going dark' solutions would do anything except update the law given means of modern communications."

It is hard to know where the slippery slope ends with tracking people. At what point are we willing to give up our freedoms to be safe?  At what point do we switch from protection to a constant state of paranoia where no one feels free at all.  

An American has a higher risk of death by getting struck by lightning or a snake bite then to die from a "terrorist" act.  Does this mean we do nothing to protect? No, ofcourse not, but where does it end?

This move just takes us one step closer to a police state, where everyone is living in fear instead of focusing on our freedoms.  

Albert Gidari Jr., who represents technology companies on law enforcement matters, criticized that proposed procedure. He claims that if the United States started imposing fines on foreign Internet firms, it would encourage other countries to penalize American companies if they refused to turn over users' information.

"We'll look a lot more like China than America after this," Mr. Gidari told NY Times.

What are your feelings on increased internet surveillance of people?

Read full story at NY Times.