Wiretaps (4)
I believe the answer is:
bugs
'wiretaps' is the definition.
('bug' can be a synonym of 'wiretap')
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for bugs that I've seen before include "Secret listening devices" , "Errors in computer programs" , "Small crawling creatures or disease-germs" , "Insects or faults in a system or machine" , "Insects or defects in computer programs" .)