"On This Date in Cryptologic History" Calendar
1940: FDR authorized wiretapping to watch German agents.
21 May 1940: Although the 1934 Communications Act banned wiretapping and Supreme Court rulings of 1937 and 1939, held that this ban applied to federal agents, FDR authorized wiretapping during "national defense" investigations. The purpose of these investigations was to anticipate and prevent planned espionage and sabotage.
