Re: Disturbing statistics on wiretaps

[Matt Blaze <mab@crypto.com>]

Mike Goodwin writes:
>Steve Bellovin writes:
> 
>
>Here's the actual language of 18 USC 2515 (note the omission of
>"electronic communications"):
>
>
>Sec. 2515. Prohibition of use as evidence of intercepted wire or oral
>communications
>
>Whenever any wire or oral communication has been intercepted, no part of
>the contents of such communication and no evidence derived therefrom may
>be received in evidence in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding in or
>before any court, grand jury, department, officer, agency, regulatory
>body, legislative committee, or other authority of the United States, a
>State, or a political subdivision thereof if the disclosure of that
>information would be in violation of this chapter.
>--Mike

Out of curiousity, what's "wire communication" for the purpose of this
statute?  How does that differ from electronic communication (other than,
perhaps, non-voice data traffic sent via cellular telephone)?

Thanks

-matt