According to Reuters, a U.S. District Judge in Fresno (CA) has ruled that law enforcement officials cannot compel Facebook to wiretap voice calls over its Messenger app.
Members of a joint federal and state task force probing the international criminal gang MS-13—also known as Mara Salvatrucha—had tried in August to hold Facebook in contempt of court for failing to carry out a wiretap order, according to Reuters.
Under Federal law, traditional telecommunications companies are required to give police access to voice calls, but voice communication technologies that rely solely on internet infrastructure are exempt.
Facebook successfully argued that their Messenger app was included in that exemption.