DCSNet

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DCSNet, an abbreviation for Digital Collection System Network, is the FBI's point-and-click surveillance system that can perform instant wiretaps on almost any communications device in the US. ^[1]

It allows instant access to all cellphone, landline, SMS communications anywhere in the US from a point-and-click interface. It is impervious to external attacks, as it runs on Sprint's "Peerless IP network", run on a fiber-optic backbone separate from the internet.^[2] It is intended to increase agent productivity through workflow modeling allowing for the routing of intercepts for translation or analysis with only a few clicks.

It is comprised of at least three software components that run on the Windows operating system -- DCS3000, DCS5000, DCS6000. The DCS3000 collects information associates with dialed and incoming numbers like traditional trap-and-trace and pen registers. The DCS5000 is a classified system used by the FBI unit responsible for counter-intelligence to target spies and "terrorists" with wiretaps. The DCS6000 captures the content of phone calls and text messages for analysis.

DCSNet has the capability to record, review and playback intercepted material in real time. ^[3] This real-time intelligence data intercept can be streamed out to mobile surveillance vans. ^[4] Furthermore, with this system the FBI can track the rough location of targets in real time using triangulation techniques and cell-tower information. ^[5]

Much of the information available on this system has come from the results of Freedom of Information Act requests made by the Electronic Frontier Foundation.