Women looking for abortions in the US just learned the hard way why this is an essential practice.
Recommended watching: The NSA surveillance doesn’t scale — Constanze Kurz at Euro Python 2014: https://archive.org/details/EuroPython_2014_kSFzmDYc
What is this? Are governments mandating that corporations install government monitoring modules in their networks?
Not only CALEA, but telecoms, ISPs, and other providers work hand in hand with governments who request data, whether those requests are via NSLs, warrants, subpoenas, court orders or just government employees asking nicely for the data.
Many companies, including for example Apple who is open about this, are happy to hand over private information via simple requests from law enforcement that they are not legally bound to respond to like they are with warrants or subpoenas.
I'd assume by scratching law enforcement's back, the government scratches compliant companies' backs, as well, considering the contracts they get and favorable treatment they get from regulators.