Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Mass Extraction: The Widespread Power of U.S. Law Enforcement to Search Mobile Phones
upturn.org ^ | October 2020 | Logan Koepke, et al

Posted on 12/22/2020 8:02:08 AM PST by krny9

Every day, law enforcement agencies across the country search thousands of cellphones, typically incident to arrest. To search phones, law enforcement agencies use mobile device forensic tools (MDFTs), a powerful technology that allows police to extract a full copy of data from a cellphone — all emails, texts, photos, location, app data, and more — which can then be programmatically searched. As one expert puts it, with the amount of sensitive information stored on smartphones today, the tools provide a “window into the soul.”

This report documents the widespread adoption of MDFTs by law enforcement in the United States. Based on 110 public records requests to state and local law enforcement agencies across the country, our research documents more than 2,000 agencies that have purchased these tools, in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. We found that state and local law enforcement agencies have performed hundreds of thousands of cellphone extractions since 2015, often without a warrant. To our knowledge, this is the first time that such records have been widely disclosed.

(Excerpt) Read more at upturn.org ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Technical
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021 next last
A disturbing report on the lack of privacy for content on mobile devices. Given that mobile devices track location and hold much of day to day communication, this is as invasive as it gets.
1 posted on 12/22/2020 8:02:08 AM PST by krny9
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: krny9

They wouldn’t find much on my flip phone.


2 posted on 12/22/2020 8:03:33 AM PST by rwa265
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rwa265

Yup, I turn on my flip phone maybe twice a month. No texts, no apps, no internet searches, maybe just six calls in/out a year. A truth wealth of info for law enforcement.


3 posted on 12/22/2020 8:06:57 AM PST by Oorang (Tyranny thrives where government need not fear the wrath of an armed people - Alex Kozinski)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: krny9

They only use it to search normal people. BLM and Antifa are left alone.


4 posted on 12/22/2020 8:11:58 AM PST by Dr. Pritchett
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oorang
Makes one wonder what you have to hide. :)
5 posted on 12/22/2020 8:14:57 AM PST by gundog ( Hail to the Chief, bitches!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Pritchett

Oh, I imagine they sit on their info for the day that they no longer are useful.


6 posted on 12/22/2020 8:16:29 AM PST by gundog ( Hail to the Chief, bitches!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: krny9

Totally unconstitutional. Warrantless search. Every legitimate warrant must provide the specifics of what is to be searched, for which this type of search is impossible.


7 posted on 12/22/2020 8:23:04 AM PST by Wonder Warthog (No Longer Tolerating Trolls!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: krny9

Now the feds will have a friend in the WH to resume their one sided investigations of anyone that doesn’t drink their kool aid. Just keep rolling down that slippery slope, a banana republic are we.


8 posted on 12/22/2020 8:25:25 AM PST by kenmcg (tHE WHOLE )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: gundog

Nothing to hide, just no need for 24/7 connectivity and no desire for ego massaging by social media and texts. I’m retired and live quite rural with no cell phone signal so why spend big bucks for a smartphone when I don’t like them. IMO, for the masses, smartphones have become a psychological and emotional crutch as well as a physical appendage.


9 posted on 12/22/2020 8:35:22 AM PST by Oorang (Tyranny thrives where government need not fear the wrath of an armed people - Alex Kozinski)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Wonder Warthog

Haven’t you heard?

The US Constitution only applies when government entities federal or state feel in applies.

If there is any issue, just say “national security” and that will make it OK.


10 posted on 12/22/2020 8:39:41 AM PST by Red6
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: krny9

The communications revolution has created vast new abilities for big brother.

As far as our privacy is concerned, assume that anything you put into a computer or phone is not completely private.


11 posted on 12/22/2020 8:40:08 AM PST by cymbeline
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oorang

Yup. And it’s not doing us any good. Big contributor to GroupThink.


12 posted on 12/22/2020 8:42:05 AM PST by gundog ( Hail to the Chief, bitches!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: krny9

So this should make it very easy for Law Enforcement to track down and arrest all of the 2020 Election Fraudsters.


13 posted on 12/22/2020 8:52:23 AM PST by Presbyterian Reporter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oorang

Are you Gibbs from NCIS?


14 posted on 12/22/2020 8:59:21 AM PST by EEGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: EEGator

Didn’t know what NCIS is or who Gibbs is. Looked it up...NCIS is a TV show and Gibbs is male. So, no. I’d prefer to be a retired version of Jack Bauer, only I’m female.


15 posted on 12/22/2020 10:22:24 AM PST by Oorang (Tyranny thrives where government need not fear the wrath of an armed people - Alex Kozinski)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: krny9

Your ‘Privacy’ is very important...is what we hear every day!


16 posted on 12/22/2020 10:25:25 AM PST by TribalPrincess2U
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oorang

He hates phones, like you.

How have you not heard of NCIS?
I understand not watching it, but it’s been on for 23 years and is the number one show...


17 posted on 12/22/2020 10:26:13 AM PST by EEGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: EEGator

No, had not heard of NCIS. I don’t watch CBS/NBS/ABC, etc. If I want to watch a series I’ll end up buying the set (24, Fringe, Vikings, Person of Interest). Other than that I watch history shows and documentaries. I have 180 acres, rural, so a lot to do other than watch TV.


18 posted on 12/22/2020 10:38:25 AM PST by Oorang (Tyranny thrives where government need not fear the wrath of an armed people - Alex Kozinski)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Oorang

Sounds nice, and probably way better for one’s body and mind.


19 posted on 12/22/2020 10:40:27 AM PST by EEGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Oorang

I have a flip phone also. I wonder if they can tell me who keeps to o calling me?


20 posted on 12/22/2020 4:12:17 PM PST by Keyhopper (Indians had bad immigration laws)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson