§1001 Definitions

Summary

Gives plain meanings for key words used in this subchapter. Terms defined in section 2510 of title 18 mean what that section says. Call-identifying information is dialing or signaling data that shows where a communication started, its direction, its destination, or where it ended when a subscriber uses a telecommunications carrier. Commission means the Federal Communications Commission. Electronic messaging services are software that lets people share data, images, sound, writing, or other information between computing devices. Government means the U.S. government and its agencies, the District of Columbia, any U.S. commonwealth, territory, or possession, and any state or local unit legally allowed to do electronic surveillance. Information services cover the ability to create, store, process, retrieve, use, or make information available via telecommunications and include stored information retrieval, electronic publishing, and electronic messaging, but do not include a carrier’s internal network management tools. Telecommunications support services are products, software, or services a carrier uses for internal signaling or switching. Telecommunications carrier means a person or entity that transmits or switches wire or electronic communications as a common carrier for hire; it includes providers of commercial mobile service (as defined in section 332(d) of this title) and others the Commission finds replace a substantial part of local telephone exchange service, but it does not include those providing information services or any class the Commission exempts after consulting the Attorney General.