Wiretapping, eavesdropping - unauthorized communication interception and recording
With the term wiretapping, I describe the unauthorized real-time interception of a private communication. This can be anything, like fax, telephony or generally computer network usage. The term wiretapping is usually used in context with the technical means to perform eavesdropping.
Related to authorized law enforcement activities, I tend to describe observation activities with the term “digital observation”. In rare cases, I read the term wiretapping in a law enforcement operations context, but usually if there is a lack of certain formalities.