Wiretap Law May Create 'Backdoors' For Hackers, Experts Warn

The Obama administration is close to announcing its support for a law that would force Internet communications companies, such as Google and Facebook to build back doors for government wiretaps.

If the law passes it would allow intelligence agencies, particularly the FBI, to monitor a vast array of communications, including Facebook messages, chats, and email using services such as Gmail. However, security experts warn the measure could have an unintended consequence: creating digital "backdoors" for cybercriminals to exploit.

"The government should be doing everything in its power to increase the security of our communications networks, not riddling them with interception backdoors that will likely be exploited by criminals and foreign governments," Chris Soghoian, a policy analyst for the American Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement. "History has shown time and time again that interception backdoors are fundamentally at odds with good cybersecurity."

Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), a member of the House Judiciary committee where wiretapping legislation would be considered, said he opposes the FBI's proposal.

"At a time when we need sensible legislation to confront cyber threats, the F.B.I. proposal is a step in the wrong direction on security and privacy," Johnson said in a statement. "Forcing companies to engineer backdoors for information requests would increase the risk of hacking, identify theft, and mass surveillance."

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