[FASherman]

Originally Posted by Weasel

You should probably point out if you are not a lawyer and your occupation has nothing to do with law.

I have been an IT tech and manager for over 20 years and have had to design systems to comply with the law.

(3)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection,
a person or entity providing an electronic communication service
to the public shall not intentionally divulge the contents of any
communication other than one to such person or entity, or an
agent thereof) while in transmission on that service to any
person or entity other than an addressee or intended recipient of
such communication or an agent of such addressee or intended
recipient.

(b) A person or entity providing electronic communication
service to the public may divulge the contents of any such
communication -

(i) as otherwise authorized in section 2511(2)(a)
or 2517 of this title;

(ii) with the lawful consent of the originator or
any addressee or intended recipient of such communication;

(iii) to a person employed or authorized, or whose
facilities are used, to forward such communication to its
destination; or

(iv) which were inadvertently obtained by the
service provider and which appear to pertain to the commission of
a crime, if such divulgence is made to a law enforcement agency.

(4)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection
or in subsection (5), whoever violates subsection (1) of this
section shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more
than five years, or both.

It doesn't get any clearer than that, folks. In the US, installing and using this hack is a federal offense that can earn you prison time.

Here's the law: UNITED STATES CODE TITLE 18. CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE PART I--CRIMES CHAPTER 119--WIRE AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS INTERCEPTION AND INTERCEPTION OF ORAL COMMUNICATIONS

It also bears mentioning that individual states also have privacy laws that may or many not be violated by reading your users' private messages. One would also be subject to prosecution under state laws as well.

Given the privacy concerns relative to the Patriot Act, this is an extremely sensitive issue to many people.

I have no further need to continue to try to convince anyone further. I've given you the best advice I can. If you choose to do something stupid and put yourself at risk, thats your business.