Justice Department Releases Guidelines for Carnivore Review
By REUTERS
August 25, 2000
WASHINGTON (AP) _ WASHINGTON -- The Justice Department
Thursday released guidelines for an independent review of
its controversial Carnivore e-mail surveillance program to
ensure that the program works as intended.
The review was prompted by concerns that the program could
infringe on Internet privacy or slow down traffic on the
Web. Carnivore allows law enforcement agents to gather
e-mail messages of criminal suspects as they pass through
the gates of an Internet service provider. Like a telephone
wiretap, it requires a court order to be used.
In its guidelines for prospective bidders, the Justice
Department said cost would be a factor, but technical
capability of the candidates would be most important. The
review is expected to be conducted by academic experts at a
U.S. university.
The Justice Department emphasized that it wanted the review
to remain technical in nature and independent of political
influence.
"The primary goal of this procurement is to select an
offerer that is capable of delivering an independent,
objective, impartial and thorough technical review of the
Carnivore system within the timeframes specified," the
guidelines said.
"The Department seeks to avoid any appearance of improper
influence by the Department, including the FBI, or by other
law enforcement or governmental interests," it added.
Proposals are due on Sept. 6, the Department said, and the
contract will be awarded on Sept. 25. The first draft of the
review will be due on Nov. 17, followed by a period for
public comment. The final report will be issued on Dec. 8.
Attorney General Janet Reno has said that the contractors
would have total access to any information they need to
conduct their review.
The FBI is also collecting material to turn over to the
Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), a
public-interest group, after EPIC sought access to the data
under a Freedom of Information Act request.
The Justice Department contends that Carnivore is needed to
keep tabs on criminals who communicate online. But EPIC, the
American Civil Liberties Union and some members of Congress
are worried that it may violate the U.S. Constitution's
Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and
seizure.