June 23, 2006

Appeals Court Says Federal Government Can Require Costly Network Changes That Aid Surveillance

By ANDREA L. FOSTER

A federal appeals court has ruled that the Federal Communications Commission can require Internet service providers, possibly including colleges, to redesign their networks to meet the government's surveillance needs. Colleges have estimated that complying with the requirement could cost them each $9-million to $15-million.

The decision is a blow to a coalition that included the American Council on Education, eight other higher-education groups, two academic-library organizations, and