A more thorough explanation:

Wiretap

A wiretap is a way to listen in on a conversation or read a message by using an electronic device.

1. A police officer might use a wiretap to listen in on a suspect's phone calls to gather evidence for a case.

2. A hacker might use a wiretap to intercept and read someone's private messages.

A wiretap is a method of surveillance that involves using an electronic device to intercept and record conversations or messages. This can be done by tapping into a phone line, intercepting wireless signals, or accessing a computer network. The examples illustrate how wiretaps can be used for both legal and illegal purposes, and how they can be used to gather information for investigations or to invade someone's privacy.