Given all of the NSA revelations, you can bet all the metadata for every call is recorded,

if not the actual content. The NSA is the only government agency that we know does,

indeed, listen.

I mean tapped by law enforcement or a snooper.

It is hard to know 100%. You could track your battery levels, because a rapid draw down

is a sign it is on more than usual.

Why would that reveal if it is tapped?

You put your phone in hibernate mode or shut it down. The listener activates it to listen

in, or the software kicks in when there is a conversation.

So it is used more, using up the battery. What’s another way?

If it is your land line phone, call the phone service provider and report a problem. A technician

should come out and could tell you if it is tapped.

I have a cell phone.

Your cell phone could be tapped via software. You should look at the cell phone processes.

A secret software application probably won’t be in the list.

No, but an unusually high resource usage level would be a sign. Take it to a cell phone repair

shop, they could identify tapping software and likely remove it.

How can I tell for myself?

Background noise and pulsating static are good signs.

So, I guess, is third party laughter when I ask if this is between just me and you.

One option is to speak in a type of code, referring to events as weddings instead of

gatherings, like terrorists did. Another option is the old fashioned one.

What’s that?

Only arrange a date and time to meet over the phone, then only discuss the highly sensitive

topics in person.

So for privacy, we’re back to World War 2 methods of communication.

The prime minister of India says he’s NSA proof, because he has no cell phone or email

address.

I can’t go Amish – or Indian – like that.