WIRETAPPING

wiretapping, n. Electronic or mechanical eavesdropping, usu. done by law-enforcement officers under court order, to listen to private conversations. • Wiretapping is regulated by federal and state law. — Often shortened to tap-ping. See BUGGING; EAVESDROPPING. Cf. PEN REGISTER. [Cases: Telecommunications 493–494, 510. C.J.S. Telegraphs, Telephones, Radio, and Television §§ 233–234, 238, 240, 242, 244, […]