[Bloody Sam Roberts]

How is this any different than requiring all telephone companies to record all conversations?

It's not. And they don't.

The Digital Telephony Act of 1994's requires the phone companies to provide law enforcement officials with assurance that they will be able to "tap" or have access to the content of any communications incorporating new digital technology in the same way that traditional voice transmissions are currently accessible.

The phone companies do not record all telephone conversations.

[rhombus]

Imagine the expense of maintaining all those records just so the Gov't could sift through them scanning for crimes. (shudder)