Russian security agency mentions Skype ban; may open backdoors instead

VoIP wiretapping has long been a heated topic here in the States, but it seems to be rising as an issue overseas as well. As more people across the world start using services like Skype and Google Voice, governments are trying to determine how they should react.

Recently, rumors surfaced that Russia was on the brink of banning Skype after its domestic spy agency reported that the uncontrolled use of such services was a threat to the country's security. The ban has apparently been avoided--as has the ban on Gmail and Hotmail--but the state has also hinted that security authorities would be granted easier access to the services which use tough encryption to keep out prying eyes.

The contreversy echoes the recent debates in the U.S. when law enforcement agencies requested laws forcing software designers to build in backdoors to make life easier for investigators.

For more:
- read The Telegraph article

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