Hollywood would have us believe that government super-spooks can track our movements and communications with just a few effortless taps on a computer keyboard. Satellite communications, video cameras in public places, our online activities -- all seemingly easily intercepted and decoded.
Not so, says Valerie Caproni, the FBI's general counsel.
In a recent appearance before the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, Caproni talked of technological blind spots she dubbed "Going Dark."
"New technology and a rapidly changing communications landscape are eroding the ability of the government to conduct court-ordered intercepts of wire and electronic communications," she said.
How?
She said officials are facing "a potentially widening gap between our legal authority to intercept electronic communications ... and our practical ability to actually intercept those communications."
Sometimes, the problem is that Internet service-providers choose not to comply fully with court orders.
Sometimes, the problem is the Internet service-provider would have to put in considerable work and expense to comply with the court order.
