Privacy: An Overview of Federal Statutes Governing Wiretapping and Electronic Eavesdropping [Updated March 27, 2003]   [open pdf - 506KB]

"This report provides an overview of federal law governing wiretapping and electronic eavesdropping. It also surveys state law in the area and contains a bibliography of legal commentary....This report includes a discussion of related USA PATRIOT Act (P.L. 107-56, H.R. 3162; 2001) amendments. In addition to the Patriot Act modifications, it reflects changes contained in the legislation establishing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296, H.R. 5005), and in the 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act (P.L. 107-273, H.R. 2215; 2002)."