Quoting CNET:

The FCC has justified the expansion on the basis of terrorism and homeland security concerns, echoing Bush administration officials who have warned, for example, of the perils of VoIP services in rogue hands.

But even as the order kicks in, it remains unclear exactly what classes of providers within those broad categories must comply with the new rules or what exactly they must do to achieve compliance.

The FCC said in its original order that it reached "no conclusions" about whether universities, research institutions, and small or rural broadband providers should be subject the requirements. It sought comments on that topic through subsequent FCC notice. The deadline for receiving that initial round of suggestions also happens to be Monday.

The order's vagueness has perplexed some groups hoping to submit constructive suggestions. In comments filed last week with the agency, C&W Enterprises, a small broadband provider in rural Western Texas, wrote, "it is difficult to assess what the costs would be for our company or what type of exemption we would advocate without knowing what we will be required to do under the CALEA [Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act] rules."

So, "the War on Terror" is used as another excuse to enable the DEA to wiretap internet communications.

And so it goes....