Tin Foil Hat Time

[richlevy]

From here.

Sprint fed customer GPS data to cops over 8 million times

A blogger has released audio of Sprint's Electronic Surveillance Manager describing the carrier's cooperation with law enforcement. Among the revelations are that Sprint has so far filled over 8 million requests from LEOs for customer GPS data.

"[M]y major concern is the volume of requests. We have a lot of things that are automated but that's just scratching the surface. One of the things, like with our GPS tool. We turned it on the web interface for law enforcement about one year ago last month, and we just passed 8 million requests. So there is no way on earth my team could have handled 8 million requests from law enforcement, just for GPS alone. So the tool has just really caught on fire with law enforcement. They also love that it is extremely inexpensive to operate and easy, so, just [because of] the sheer volume of requests they anticipate us automating other features, and I just don't know how we'll handle the millions and millions of requests that are going to come in."

Either there are millions and millions of criminals out there, or what we have here is the creepiest mission creep of all time.

While cops don't need a 'search warrant' for stuff like this, they usually still need a court order. Unless they opened up vending machines to churn these out at every courthouse, I can't see how they have the legal right to all of this.

Look on the bright side, Sprint customers, Santa will always know where you are, and probably if you've been naughty or nice.....

[toranokaze]

It is not all criminals, if you call 911 then hang up. They will call you back if you then don't answer they will acquire GPS data in order to assist.

[wolf]

GPS is creepy stuff, indeed, although when someone calls the suicide hotline from a cellphone, it can be useful. I think our 911 call center has to jump through a number of hoops to be able to get the cell carrier to access the data for them, or at least they used to. They upgraded the computer aided dispatch system recently, and have a lot more capabilities than they used to. I know they can track the location of all police, fire, and ambulance vehicles in the county, not sure if that goes through GPS or if it has something to do with the radio system that's in use. It's actually kind of cool to watch them moving around on the big map in the dispatch center ... where they can also click on each unit to bring up a pop-up that gives location and nature of call details (if one is assigned).

[Elspode]

I think what Rich is getting at is - have there really been 8 million times that the cops needed to know where someone's phone was in such a short period of time, or are they just routinely running this data because they *can*.

I'm a little leery of it as well.

[footfootfoot]

That's the nature of knowledge. No matter what the database, there have always been people who would peruse it for their own purposes, either with nefarious intent or just for entertainment's sake.

At the innocuous end is compiling a list of humorous names from a customer database to entertain yourself and cow orkers. It moves along, step by seemingly harmless step until you find yourself re-tasking satellites so you can see what your old high school crush is doing. (Wait, that's facebook)

The point is this is nothing new, it's human nature. But it's human nature moving much faster than ethics and morality.

cf http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpEnFwiqdx8

[xoxoxoBruce]

The point is this is nothing new, it's human nature.

Yes, human nature, but what is new, is the myriad of opportunities people have to exercise that nature. Used to be, you could peek out between your curtains and gossip over the back fence, but technology has made incredible invasions of privacy possible.

[Cicero]

That is just sprint alone. They are not the only carrier to provide that service. It is true that it is used to track 911 calls. This screams of math. (((shirk)))

I only have a tin foil bra however, so I won't be molested by the aliens .

[Elspode]

Better cobble up a pair of tinfoil granny panties, too. I hear they're big on anal probes.

[Griff]

hmmm...

[Cicero]

lol! Now where is that cellar comic-strip thread?

[footfootfoot]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Yes, human nature, but what is new, is the myriad of opportunities people have to exercise that nature. Used to be, you could peek out between your curtains and gossip over the back fence, but technology has made incredible invasions of privacy possible.

Well, if by 'incredible invasions' you mean 'total annihilation' I have to agree with you.

[Griff]

Originally Posted by Cicero

lol! Now where is that cellar comic-strip thread?

I wonder if I crossed a fair use line there? If the lawyers call, take it down and act all cool and stuff.

[ZenGum]

Not at all, you have clearly made significant artistic improvements to it.

Seriously, if you draw eyebrows and horns on the Mona Lisa you have the rights to that image. I think. IANAL.

[xoxoxoBruce]

...if you draw eyebrows and horns on the Mona Lisa you have the rights to...

...remain silent, an attorney, etc. However, do it on a copy of Mona, and you're in business.

[Cicero]

Originally Posted by Griff

I wonder if I crossed a fair use line there? If the lawyers call, take it down and act all cool and stuff.

What are you kidding? I'm the one that was demanding a cellar comic strip be made from that one! Love it!