Update: IETF votes down wiretap proposal

In a scheduled vote during an IETF task force meeting here, the controversial proposal drew only a smattering of support. "Out of a room of about 1,000 to 1,200 people, about 25 [IETF members] supported . . . wiretap protocols, and 800 or so opposed," said David Banisar, an attorney and privacy advocate. "It was a pretty good trouncing."

The IETF's Internet Advisory Board and Internet Engineering Steering Group are next expected to issue a formal task force position on the wiretap proposal, although no date was set at the meeting for issuing a statement.

Opponents of the proposal sent a letter to the task force before Wednesday's vote urging it not to adopt new protocols or modify existing protocols to make Internet wiretapping easier. "We believe that such a development would harm network security, result in more illegal activities, diminish users' privacy, stifle innovation and impose significant costs on developers of communications," said the letter signed by leading computer security, cryptography and legal experts.

"At the same time, it is likely that Internet surveillance protocols would provide little or no real benefit for law enforcement."