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Federal statuteCALEA

Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act

In plain terms. The Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act requires telecommunications carriers and equipment manufacturers to design their systems so that lawfully authorized electronic surveillance can be carried out. It ill…

Last reviewedJune 7, 2026Version v1

In plain terms. The Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act requires telecommunications carriers and equipment manufacturers to design their systems so that lawfully authorized electronic surveillance can be carried out. It illustrates the tension between built-in interception capability and overall communications security.

Citation. Pub. L. 103-414 (Oct. 25, 1994); 47 U.S.C. §§ 1001-1010.