Wiretapping allows a person to monitor and record a phone call without a caller's knowledge. Some devices allow people to tap their own phones. Concerned parents may use a phone tap to keep tabs on their kids' activities. Not all states in the United States permit phone taps, and sometimes warrants are required.
Phone Companies' Role
The phone company has the ability to listen in on anyone's call and often does so per the request of the federal or state government. Phone companies can monitor conversations through a computer system. (Older phone systems required companies to physically tap the line by linking together circuits.) If the tap is done digitally, the computer takes the digital data and copies it to a second line. This way, a caller cannot tell whether the line is being tapped. Even if the line is not tapped, phone companies keep records of every number dialed as part of their billing information. This information is called a "pen register tap," and can be obtained long after a phone conversation has occurred, although the conversation will not be available.
Coil Taps
A person can record a phone conversation by using a device that connects the phone to a tape recorder. One end fits into the phone and the other goes through a box, and then fits into the phone's base so the call won't be interrupted. The box has one extra line that can fit into the microphone jack of a tape recorder or a computer. All a person has to do is press "record" to get a copy of the conversation. Usually, this type of tap requires that either the caller or receiver know about the tap. These taps are inexpensive---usually about $15 to $20---and can be found in many electronics stores.
Radio Taps
This is the same concept as bugging a line. The bug is placed on one phone line somewhere in the house. It does not have to be plugged in, because it operates off the power from the phone. A recorder will be hidden, but placed fairly close and usually inside the house. The device only transmits when the call is in progress. This is the type of tap parents usually use to monitor their kids because neither the caller nor the person who received the call knows about the tap. The recording can also be listened to at a later time.
Wiretapping allows a person to monitor and record a phone call without a caller's knowledge. Some devices allow people to tap their own phones. Concerned parents may use a phone tap to keep tabs on their kids' activities. Not all states in the United States permit phone taps, and sometimes warrants are required.
A person can record a phone conversation by using a device that connects the phone to a tape recorder. One end fits into the phone and the other goes through a box, and then fits into the phone's base so the call won't be interrupted. The box has one extra line that can fit into the microphone jack of a tape recorder or a computer. All a person has to do is press "record" to get a copy of the conversation. Usually, this type of tap requires that either the caller or receiver know about the tap. These taps are inexpensive---usually about $15 to $20---and can be found in many electronics stores.
This is the same concept as bugging a line. The bug is placed on one phone line somewhere in the house. It does not have to be plugged in, because it operates off the power from the phone. A recorder will be hidden, but placed fairly close and usually inside the house. The device only transmits when the call is in progress. This is the type of tap parents usually use to monitor their kids because neither the caller nor the person who received the call knows about the tap. The recording can also be listened to at a later time.
