Missouri approves tracking cell phones for real-time traffic data

Kansas City Star via AP via kansascity.com ^ | 12/2/05 | GARANCE BURKE

[Itzlzha]

"If you travel on a certain route every day, we'll eventually be able to give you alerts to see if an instance would keep you from getting to work on time," said Steven McDonald, a senior project manager for SKYNET. "This has a lot of potential."

"I think it's a GREAT Idea! Now about that Plasma Rifle in the 30 mW range..."

[M-cubed]

or here's another idea...1984 is finally here!

[El Conservador]

Dig this:

The same people that wrote "1984", "bigbrother" and "yourpapersplease" on the keyword list, are the same that were "outraged" the Patriot Act wasn't permanently extended.

So... what is it???

[RightWinger]

...page me, because I'm turning my cell phone off...

I have a company pager and a personal cell phone.
I usually leave my cell phone off. My wife calls me on the pager and I turn on the cell phone and return her call.

BTW, the company doesn't have my cell number.

[M-cubed]

I'm turning my cell phone off, and removing the battery.<<<

Didnt u know...Knowingly trying to defraud a State agency is punishiable by law!

[DBrow]

Every cell phone constantly pings to the nearest tower- that's how they work.

This data flows into the cell phone carrier's computers all the time.

So someone wants to strip the personal information from the cell ping and use it to track traffic, and everybody gets upset. This is not voice data, it's the cell data packet that is your phone saying "I'm here and turned on".

But you are forgetting that you are giving up this data anyway, to the cell company (and anyone else with a capable receiver). They constantly track all the phones that are turned on and within range, WITH the personal information. It's how cell technology works! If it's offensive to you to have depersonalized data used, it should be doubly offensive to have ALL of the data logged in some huge computer.

To avoid this egregious loss of rights don't get a cell.

[TheCrusader]

" National Engineering Technology Corp. (NET), will start monitoring thousands of cell phones in Kansas City and St. Louis, using their movements to test how to relay traffic conditions to the public in real time."

Is anyone ever really helped by listening to traffic reports?

Traffic is heavy and slow in every major city in the U.S., to and from work. So what's the use in all these ridiculous helicopters and airplanes buzzing overhead reporting the same thing every day? Big city traffic reports are as predictable as forcasting the weather in southern Arizona. "Today is going to be hot and dry, for a ten day forecast refer to today's weather report".

[RightWinger]

I'm waiting for the "if you have nothing to hide" crowd.

And the "it'll reduce insurance rates" crowd. {;o)

[elkfersupper]

Those people were all me. And your point is?

[dljordan]

"I still like a steaming pile of dogsqueeze better than this latest example of big-brotherism."

LOL!

[Hardastarboard]

stripped of the personal identification and serial numbers that identify the cell phone's owner

For now, that is. Later, the government will claim that they absolutely need this information for, well, take your pick of reasons.

[Keith in Iowa]

>>>I don't like this... not even a little bit.<<<

hate to break it to you - but logging on to check your e-mail generates more personal, traceable information that could be data mined than these traffic sensors.

[RightWinger]

The government always abuses everything, eventually!

[Keith in Iowa]

You have got to stop spreading this truth man! It gets in the way of a good delusion... :)

[El Conservador]

OK.

Can you give us your position on privacy intrusion???

[DBrow]

Today, when the government demands such data, they need a warrant unless certain conditions are met (like being in a terror cell).

They cannot demand cell ownership data from a carrier without a warrant, which is why the data is stripped to use it for counting cars on the highway.

Your phone constantly broadcasts it serial and other data, that's how cells connect and bills are sent, and how bootleggers steal your phone ID and load it into another cell, so you get the bill when the stolen phone is used.

[Charlespg]

As early as next week, that company, the National Engineering Technology Corp. (NET), will start monitoring thousands of cell phones in Kansas City and St. Louis, using their movements to test how to relay traffic conditions to the public in real time.

This sounds like grounds for a class action lawsuit against this company

[DBrow]

He he he...sometimes I take the other tack and deliberately spread panic! Just depends on my mood at the time.

[elkfersupper]

Can you give us your position on privacy intrusion???

Don't like it, generally won't put up with it.

[elkfersupper]

This sounds like grounds for a class action lawsuit against this company

If only people cared enough to actually do something like that (don't hold your breath).

Safety at all costs, don't you know.