Internet telephony - challenge for legal regulation of surveillance of electronic communications

Straipsnyje analizuojami IP (Interneto protokolas) telefonijos kontrolės nusikaltimų tyrimo tikslais teisinio reguliavimo, susijusio su IP telefonijos kontrole, aspektai. Straipsnį sudaro 3 dalys. Pirmoje straipsnio dalyje IP telefonija ir jos savybės analizuojamos atsižvelgiant į elektroninių ryšių kontrolės nusikaltimų tyrimo tikslus. Antroje straipsnio dalyje aptariami elektroninių ryšių kontrolės reguliavimo siekiant tirti nusikaltimus ir IP telefonijos kontrolės aspektai. Trečia straipsnio dalis skirta aptarti pagrindinėms IP telefonijos kontrolės teisinio reguliavimo problemoms, susijusioms su IP telefonijos kontrole. Atlikus analizę galima teigti, kad technologijos plėtojasi greičiau nei teisinis atitinkamų visuomeninių santykių, kontroliuojant balso telefoniją, reguliavimas, ir tai teisėsaugos institucijoms sudaro kliūčių kontroliuoti IP telefoniją. Straipsnyje pateikiamos IP telefonijos kontrolės siekiant ištirti nusikaltimus tobulinimo kryptys, priemonės, taip pat atitinkami pasiūlymai.Lawful interception (wiretapping) is the interception of electronic communications by law enforcement agencies and intelligence services. However, Voice over IP (VoIP) technologies have introduced new challenges for law enforcement agencies and intelligence services. Whilst the detailed requirements for lawful interception differ from one jurisdiction to another, the general requirements are the same. However, these requirements are outdated for the new technologies, such as VoIP. The article analyzes legal regulation of lawful interception of VoIP. The subject of this article relates to legal regulation of lawful interception at both – international (regional) and national levels. The purpose of this article is to analyze the principles of legal regulation of lawful interception and to raise the main problems related to VoIP interception. The methods of comparison and analysis as well as some others have been applied in the article. International (regional) legal documents (Convention on Cybercrime, Data Retention directive, ect.), legal instruments in foreign countries (UK, Germany, USA, etc.) as well as periodicals and statistical information have been referred to in order to analyze the legal regulation of lawful interception of VoIP. Also the situation in Lithuania, related with the legal regulation of lawful interception of VoIP is analyzed. The analysis provided in the article makes it possible to assert that international, as well as national regulation of lawful interception of VoIP (including Lithuania) needs to be improved. The authors have indicated the main problems, such as the extent of obligation to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and intelligence services, non-centralized encryption of VoIP (which encumbers lawful interception of VoIP) and exterritorial nature of VoIP (which contradicts with the principle of national jurisdiction). To this end, different ways and measures of improving the legal regulation of lawful interception of VoIP have been discussed in this article