Galery

1

Two phone tapping systems - totaling over 8 million euros - have been acquired over the past four years in two stages by the German company Syborg. Each of them has the capacity to tap about 700-800 phones, with possibility for further expansion. Each system includes 60 computers and a large number of recorders. Systems are connected through leased lines of the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) with the three mobile operators, but also with one ISP (Οtenet), in order to be able to record all types of messages. 

700 phones can be monitored and conversations recorded, of which 500 landlines and 200 mobile phones (Vodafone, Wind and Cosmote), while having the opportunity to simultaneously monitor up to 100 Internet connections. 

Moreover, there is a possibility for expansion to firstly 1,700 mobile and landline phones, and later on to 5,000-6,000 phones. 

Listening devices are able to record voice data, content of faxes, e-mail, the Internet traffic of each suspect, SΜS and ΜΜS, location of the mobile phone holder (independent of whether the person is making a call or not) and so on. 

During the phone tapping there are a continuous updates for policemen - sometimes even 6-7 times a day -, who investigate the case and have requested the deletion of communication privacy. Many times, however, these officers are required to listen "live" conversations, where criminal action is planned, which of course must be prevented. According to the information such action was prevented at least in 20 cases due to tapping of conversations.