Posting #2
Period: D
Topic: Tech/Science:
Title: Courts Drawing line against warrantless phone data searches?
Author: Amy Gahran
Publication Date: December 2, 2010
Many people are unaware, but they are in fact carrying around a small GPS tracking device: their cell phone. In line with this, the FBI has also begun placing trackers on suspects car without a warrant. Both of these actions are cutting very close to the line of infringing on people's constitutional rights. Three court cases have brought up this question and so far the judges are protecting the citizens right to have privacy of data. However, the federal government is pushing back and trying to make it so that all of that kind of data may be legally available for them. The data would allow investigators to track their suspects without them ever having knowledge of it. The Electronic Frontier Foundation is a nonprofit group that is a major advocate for the protection of civil rights especially with regards to technology and data. One of the stronger arguments against release of personal data is the ruling of U.S. vs. Maryland. The verdict stated that "the warrantless installation and use of a GPS tracking device to monitor a suspects car violated the Fourth Amendment's ban on unreasonable searches and seizures." According to the U.S. vs. Maryland verdict your personal data is still protected under your civil rights. The argument is long from over and there will be more ground lost on either sides as technology advances.
In conclusion, as more and more technology is incorporated in our everyday lives the question is raised as to how much of it is assumed private. As of now the people are still protected to their personal data, however it is only a matter of time before your location and phone activity is a federal matter. The constitution will continue to be pressed and molded to accommodate the ever changing technology it must monitor.
I agree with this article that people's personal data are becoming less and less private as technology grows. I have heard before that cellphones are also tapped, and that agencies can hear every conversation. On the flip side if all phones were to be tapped, the overall public safety of the country could greatly benefit and be more secure, and the common person would have nothing to lose by having their phones tapped. The government agencies monitering phones would not care at all about someone's weekend plans.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if a GPS tracking device is put on a suspect's car, then why doesn't the federal government get a warrant?
I think the FBI should have the right to tap subjects phones, but not everyone. I think it is okay to search someones things when it is needed, but to have everyone's phones wire-tapped is ridiculous and a waste of money.
ReplyDeleteI think the FBI should have the right to trace suspects through their phones and even cars. It is convenient to know the location of suspects. However, if the technology continued to advance, the FBI would face issues with the invasion of privacy. I do agree that the growing technology had caused everyone's information to become less and less private.
ReplyDeletethis is completely against the constitution and how would you feel if someone was watching your every step for just being a suspect. yes, if they have a quart warrant to do it then they are not breaking any constitutional rights making it ok. the act of tracking people without the quarts ok is wrong and against the constitution which we fallow so closely.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing that they have guts to invade our personal privacy. This is so disrespectful. I feel like we are living in something out of the novel 1984. Sooner or later, the information found on our phones will be used only for selfish and profit producing reasons that society will chose to just 'switch off the phone'. It's sad that such an influential device is being used with such demoting intentions.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that with new technology, there is less privacy in our lives. However, I feel that this does go against the constitution and should not be allowed. It is understandable for the FBI to need to tap the phones of criminals or terrorsist supsects, which is allowed under FISA, but I really don't even understand why they would need to tap the phones of ordinary people. They have no reason to. We deserve our privacy and they should not have that much influence over our everyday lives. Also, it seems like a huge waste of time and money
ReplyDelete