### Question
How is the "government" defined?


### Answer
The term **government** is defined in *47 U.S.C. § 1001* as follows -

> the government of the United States and any agency or instrumentality thereof, the District of Columbia, any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States, and any State or political subdivision thereof authorized by law to conduct electronic surveillance

#### Citation:
  - *47 U.S.C. § 1001*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 9-INTERCEPTION OF DIGITAL AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS > SUBCHAPTER I-INTERCEPTION OF DIGITAL AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS**

