MOSCOW, April 8 — RIA Novosti. The Federal Security Service (FSB) is concerned about the use in Russia of data transmission services that employ encryption systems based on foreign algorithms (for example, Skype, Gmail, Hotmail), seeing them as a potential threat to Russia’s national security. This was stated by Alexander Andreychkin, deputy head of the FSB’s scientific and technical service and chief of its information protection and special communications center. "Recently, the problem of using encryption and cryptographic tools in public communications networks — primarily those of foreign origin — has become an increasing concern for the FSB. Various software tools that make it possible to encrypt traffic are spreading. These include services such as Gmail, Hotmail, and Skype," he said at a meeting of the government commission on federal communications and information technology issues. "The uncontrolled use of such services could lead to a large-scale threat to Russia’s security," the FSB representative emphasized. After that, the meeting continued behind closed doors. www.rian.ru/science/20110408/362375922.html Well, of course! The threat to Russia’s security is Gmail and Skype, not the fact that FSB officers in Russia provide cover for (and organize) all the smuggling and cash-out schemes in the country. Right, because it was Gmail employees who stuffed their children and nephews into every bank and oil company, where they’re paid huge salaries for doing nothing. The list could go on for a long time, but I want to say something else. I’m not into conspiracy theories, but there’s one that seems plausible to me: This whole idea that Skype can’t be wiretapped was invented by CIA guys, who are sitting there chuckling away while recording the conversations of some Yemeni students playing at terrorism and using Skype as a secure communication channel. And, more generally, everyone else who fell for it. And the NSA can probably intercept absolutely any information transmitted over ordinary public communication channels. Still, that’s purely my own speculation. I don’t really know the technical side of it. Are there any experts who can explain why Skype can’t be wiretapped (or, on the contrary, why it can)?