CALEA (Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act)

The Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), enacted in 1994, requires telecommunications providers and internet service providers to ensure that their networks can support lawful surveillance by law enforcement agencies. Essentially, it mandates that service providers design their systems so that authorities can access and intercept communications—such as phone calls and internet data—lawfully, with proper legal authorization. This helps law enforcement monitor criminal activities while balancing the privacy rights of users, and it ensures that technological changes do not hinder investigative efforts.