Posted on 04/21/2011 6:41:17 PM PDT by Do Not Make Fun Of His Ears
(Credit: Matt Hickey/Cellebrite) The Michigan State Police have started using handheld machines called "extraction devices" to download personal information from motorists they pull over, even if they're not suspected of any crime. Naturally, the ACLU has a problem with this.
The devices, sold by a company called Cellebrite, can download text messages, photos, video, and even GPS data from most brands of cell phones. The handheld machines have various interfaces to work with different models and can even bypass security passwords and access some information.
The problem as the ACLU sees it, is that accessing a citizen's private phone information when there's no probable cause creates a violation of the Constitution's 4th Amendment, which protects us against unreasonable searches and seizures.
To that end, it's petitioning the MSP to turn over information about its use of the devices under the Freedom of Information Act. The MSP said it's happy to comply, that is, if the ACLU provides them with a processing fee in excess of $500,000. That's more than $100,000 for each of the five devices the MSP says it has in use.
(Excerpt) Read more at m.cnet.com ...
Interesting juxtaposition.
Same day revealed the iPhone keeps detailed long-term records of where it’s been - useful for, say, estimating travel speed and noting questionable locations.
Interesting juxtaposition.
Same day revealed the iPhone keeps detailed long-term records of where it’s been - useful for, say, estimating travel speed and noting questionable locations.
I wonder if, just maybe, the download is conducted using radio waves? Which cell phones can both transmit and receive?
Some states already obtain and read the on board computer of cars involved in fatal wrecks. These computers store info much like airliner black boxes, including speed, braking, time, gps location, etc.
That some state (or states) are also downloading info from smart phones and such is just a normal extension of the current need to get “all data” relevant to traffic incidents.
Using electronic devices degrades driving skills more than being legally drunk. This is the beginning of a new income stream for the courts and communities. Just looks what they get from “drunk” drivers , it totals thousands of dollars.
Soon there will be a “Mothers against communicating drivers”.
I’m sorry but police agencies haven’t the best record of honesty. Probably what they can actually do is classified, by reason of national security - and justifiably so, because if the general public learned what they were actually doing, there would be a general revolt.
If one were going to frequent the areas of town where drugs and prostitution are purchased, it might be prudent to leave the iPhone at the office or at home & carry a throwaway phone at those times. Just saying.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2707752/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2707727/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2707608/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2707517/posts
It ain’t just the cops...it’s the wivez of the cops too.
Intimidation and fear
Yep. I think I am getting rid of mine. Don’t really need one so why pay for one?
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