Trap and trace device
Encyclopedia
A trap and trace device is an electronic
device used to record and trace all communication signals from a telecommunication system. An analogous feature available (usually at an additional charge) for use by the general public would be Caller ID
.
Title 18 of the United States Code
defines a trap and trace device as follows:
A trap and trace device is similar to a pen register
. A trap and trace device would show what numbers had called a specific telephone, i.e. all incoming phone numbers. A pen register rather would show what numbers a phone had called, i.e. all outgoing phone numbers. The two terms are often used in concert, especially in the context of Internet communications. They are often jointly referred to as "Pen Register or Trap and Trace devices," to reflect the fact that the same program will probably do both functions in the modern era, and the distinction is not that important. The term 'pen register' is often used to describe both pen registers and trap and trace devices.
of the USA PATRIOT Act
. Prior to the enacting of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act was exempt from laws regarding the acquisition of "addressing information" such as: telephone conversations, personal letters, emails, and all other electronic communications through the use of trap and trace deviceshttp://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/cybercrime/PatriotAct.htm. Along with giving the government easier access to communications between the sender and receiver, section 214 of PATRIOT ACT now has eliminated the prerequisite that the government prove that the suspect is, "an agent of foreign power"http://www.epic.org/privacy/terrorism/usapatriot/sunset.html. The use of trap and trace orders are still prohibited for activities that are protected under the First Amendment.
Electronics
Electronics is the branch of science, engineering and technology that deals with electrical circuits involving active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies...
device used to record and trace all communication signals from a telecommunication system. An analogous feature available (usually at an additional charge) for use by the general public would be Caller ID
Caller ID
Caller ID , also called calling line identification or calling number identification or Calling Line Identification Presentation , is a telephone service, available in analog and digital phone systems and most Voice over Internet Protocol applications, that transmits a caller's number to...
.
Title 18 of the United States Code
United States Code
The Code of Laws of the United States of America is a compilation and codification of the general and permanent federal laws of the United States...
defines a trap and trace device as follows:
- The term “trap and trace device” means a device or process which captures the incoming electronic or other impulses which identify the originating number or other dialing, routing, addressing, and signaling information reasonably likely to identify the source of a wire or electronic communication, provided, however, that such information shall not include the contents of any communication
A trap and trace device is similar to a pen register
Pen register
A pen register is an electronic device that records all numbers called from a particular telephone line. The term has come to include any device or program that performs similar functions to an original pen register, including programs monitoring Internet communications.The United States statutes...
. A trap and trace device would show what numbers had called a specific telephone, i.e. all incoming phone numbers. A pen register rather would show what numbers a phone had called, i.e. all outgoing phone numbers. The two terms are often used in concert, especially in the context of Internet communications. They are often jointly referred to as "Pen Register or Trap and Trace devices," to reflect the fact that the same program will probably do both functions in the modern era, and the distinction is not that important. The term 'pen register' is often used to describe both pen registers and trap and trace devices.
Relevance to USA PATRIOT Act
Trap and trace device is a Sunset ProvisionSunset provision
In public policy, a sunset provision or clause is a measure within a statute, regulation or other law that provides that the law shall cease to have effect after a specific date, unless further legislative action is taken to extend the law...
of the USA PATRIOT Act
USA PATRIOT Act
The USA PATRIOT Act is an Act of the U.S. Congress that was signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 26, 2001...
. Prior to the enacting of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act was exempt from laws regarding the acquisition of "addressing information" such as: telephone conversations, personal letters, emails, and all other electronic communications through the use of trap and trace deviceshttp://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/cybercrime/PatriotAct.htm. Along with giving the government easier access to communications between the sender and receiver, section 214 of PATRIOT ACT now has eliminated the prerequisite that the government prove that the suspect is, "an agent of foreign power"http://www.epic.org/privacy/terrorism/usapatriot/sunset.html. The use of trap and trace orders are still prohibited for activities that are protected under the First Amendment.