http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0805/080405c1.htm
"Two privacy groups asked the Federal Communications Commission last week to reject a proposal that would give the Justice Department sweeping new powers to eavesdrop on cell phone calls and Internet usage by airline passengers.
The Justice and the Homeland Security departments submitted several proposals to the FCC in May and July seeking authority to monitor the electronic communications of airline passengers. The proposals would allow Justice to record all electronic activity without a court order, identify any user by seat number, and automatically interrupt or shut down any communication.
In a petition filed Wednesday, the Center for Democracy and Technology and the Electronic Frontier Foundation argue that the FCC does not have jurisdiction to address the full range of constitutional, privacy and civil liberties concerns that are raised by the proposal. The groups also say the proposal would place undefined burdens on industry to comply. "
