2008 U.S. Wiretap Report

A total of 1,891 intercepts authorized by federal and state courts were completed in 2008, a decrease of 14 percent compared to the number terminated in 2007. The number of applications for orders by federal authorities fell 16 percent to 386. The number of applications reported by state prosecuting officials dropped 14 percent to 1,505, with 22 states providing reports, two fewer than in 2007. Installed wiretaps were in operation an average of 41 days per wiretap in 2008, compared to 44 days in 2007. The average number of persons whose communications were intercepted decreased from 94 per wiretap order in 2007 to 92 per wiretap order in 2008. The average percentage of intercepted communications that were incriminating was 19 percent in 2008, compared to 30 percent in 2007. (report)