Wiretapping is the real-time recording or surveillance of telephone or other electronic communications and is governed by a series of U.S. federal laws.
October 09, 2025
high
definition
General definition of wiretapping in U.S. legal context.
A common legal interpretation is that collecting call metadata (such as tolling data or call-detail records) does not constitute a wiretap because wiretapping involves intercepting the content of communications.
October 09, 2025
medium
legal_interpretation
Summarizes legal experts' view distinguishing metadata collection from wiretapping.