wiretapping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wiretapping" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the act of secretly listening to or recording someone's telephone conversations or electronic communications, often for legal or investigative purposes. Example: "The authorities obtained a warrant for wiretapping the suspect's phone to gather evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And now that the appeals court has refused to dismiss the privacy lawsuit confirming that the interception (inadvertent or otherwise) of unsecured data from people's Wi-Fi connections is not exempt from wiretapping laws the class-action against Google can proceed.

The Economist

Therefore, like listening to the radio or watching television, the company reasoned that intercepting data on unsecured Wi-Fi networks was also exempt from wiretapping laws.

The Economist

Some 22,000 people have protested on his website about his change of heart on wiretapping.

The Economist

Mr Obama's willingness to support wiretapping in certain circumstances suggests that he is trying to strike a balance between security and privacy in what he calls a "dangerous world": the policy challenge is not to pursue vendettas against the Bush administration but to find a reasonable set of rules to govern surveillance.

The Economist

By tabling a formal motion of censure against George Bush for "illegally" wiretapping suspected terrorists without first obtaining a warrant, Mr Feingold provided the Republicans with their best bit of news for weeks.

The Economist

The senator from the state of Goiás, continued the magazine, was "not just another trafficker of political influence".Around the same time, police investigating illegal gambling were wiretapping Carlos Augusto Ramos (known as Carlinhos Cachoeira or "Charlie Waterfall"), a businessman thought to have ties to Brazil's renowned numbers racket, the jogo do bicho (animal game; see article).

The Economist

Before acceding to the request, the prime minister had contended that the wiretapping evidence on which it was based was illegal.

The Economist

Libertarians moan that the hyperactive attorney-general has hugely expanded the government's power to monitor citizens (by wiretapping their telephones and so on); that he has made it much easier to detain and deport immigrants and foreign visitors, particularly Arabs; and that he has ruthlessly accumulated power over the country's sprawling judicial system in his own hands.

The Economist

A striking 42% of Americans support Russ Feingold's bid to censure Mr Bush for illegally wiretapping suspected terrorists.

The Economist

Apparently it will feature young federal agents and lawyers investigating Hollywood power-brokers and their involvement in wiretapower-brokers and

The Economist

Mr Berlusconi has made clear that his first priority would again be to protect his own interests, by making it harder to use evidence from wiretapping in court cases.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal contexts, ensure that you specify whether the "wiretapping" was authorized by a warrant or conducted illegally.

Common error

Don't assume that all instances of "wiretapping" are legal. Always clarify whether the surveillance is court-ordered or unauthorized, as illegal "wiretapping" carries significant legal consequences.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "wiretapping" is as a noun, referring to the act or practice of intercepting communications. It can also function as a gerund (verb acting as a noun) when describing the activity itself, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "wiretapping" is grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, and functions primarily as a noun denoting the act of intercepting communications. While used in neutral contexts, it often carries legal and ethical implications due to its association with surveillance. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, its usage is prevalent in News & Media. When using the term, ensure to clarify the legality of the act. Alternatives such as "electronic surveillance" or "phone tapping" may be suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Electronic surveillance

Emphasizes the technological aspect of monitoring communications, rather than specifically targeting phone lines.

Phone tapping

Focuses specifically on the interception of telephone conversations.

Eavesdropping on communications

Highlights the act of secretly listening to private conversations or data transmissions.

Interception of communications

A broader term that includes various methods of capturing messages.

Secret surveillance

Emphasizes the clandestine nature of the monitoring activity.

Monitoring of phone calls

Specifically refers to tracking and listening to telephone conversations.

Data interception

Highlights the act of capturing data transmissions, often in the context of internet communications.

Communication surveillance

A general term that includes monitoring various forms of communication, such as phone calls, emails, and messages.

Bugging

Refers to the use of hidden devices to listen to conversations.

Covert listening

Underscores the hidden nature of the listening activity.

FAQs

What is the definition of "wiretapping"?

"Wiretapping" refers to the act of intercepting and recording telephone or electronic communications, often secretly, to gather information.

What are some alternatives to "wiretapping"?

You can use alternatives like "electronic surveillance", "phone tapping", or "interception of communications" depending on the context.

Is "wiretapping" legal?

"Wiretapping" can be legal if authorized by a court order or warrant, typically in criminal investigations. However, unauthorized "wiretapping" is illegal and carries serious penalties.

What is the difference between "wiretapping" and "eavesdropping"?

"Wiretapping" typically refers to the interception of electronic communications, while "eavesdropping" can refer to listening to conversations in person or through electronic means. The terms are often used interchangeably, but "wiretapping" specifically implies electronic interception.