ACLU seeks information on Michigan program that allows cops to download information from smart phones belonging to stopped motorists.
The Michigan State Police have a high-tech mobile forensics device that can be used to extract information from cell phones belonging to motorists stopped for minor traffic violations. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan last Wednesday demanded that state officials stop stonewalling freedom of information requests for information on the program.
ACLU learned that the police had acquired the cell phone scanning devices and in August 2008 filed an official request for records on the program, including logs of how the devices were used. The state police responded by saying they would provide the information only in return for a payment of $544,680. The ACLU found the charge outrageous.
"Law enforcement officers are known, on occasion, to encourage citizens to cooperate if they have nothing to hide," ACLU staff attorney Mark P. Fancher wrote. "No less should be expected of law enforcement, and the Michigan State Police should be willing to assuage concerns that these powerful extraction devices are being used illegally by honoring our requests for cooperation and disclosure."
A US Department of Justice test of the CelleBrite UFED used by Michigan police found the device could grab all of the photos and video off of an iPhone within one-and-a-half minutes. The device works with 3000 different phone models and can even defeat password protections.
"Complete extraction of existing, hidden, and deleted phone data, including call history, text messages, contacts, images, and geotags," a CelleBrite brochure explains regarding the device's capabilities. "The Physical Analyzer allows visualization of both existing and deleted locations on Google Earth. In addition, location information from GPS devices and image geotags can be mapped on Google Maps."
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9 comments:
To be clear, there have not been any allegations of wrongdoing by the MSP in the use of DEDs.
The MSP only uses the DEDs if a search warrant is obtained or if the person possessing the mobile device gives consent. The department*s internal directive is that the DEDs only be used by MSP specialty teams on criminal cases, such as crimes against children.
The DEDs are not being used to extract citizens' personal information during routine traffic stops.
The MSP does not possess DEDs that can extract data without the officer actually possessing the owner's mobile device. The DEDs utilized by the MSP cannot obtain information from mobile devices without the mobile device owner knowing.
http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,1607,7-123-1586-254783--,00.html
3:59...good try at defending this...you must be a cop....I loved the comment about "if you're not doing anything wrong, then why worry about it." I suppose THAT reasoning is only good when the POLICE want YOUR information. Ever heard of the "slippery slope"? Because I'm totally confident (just like when the TSA said the images they collect of naked people would NEVER be kept or disseminated, that is until one of their officers was caught with 30,000 of them) that the police would NEVER abuse their power or authority. But I will give the police credit for coming up with the "it'll cost you citizens $500,000 for us to comply with the law." BRILLIANT. What's your next rationalization???
Welcome to the machine
6:00 PM
NO, I'm not a cop and I'm not defending this. I merely did an internet search on this, BECAUSE I could not believe it.
Now, before you shoot off your assuming and ignorant mouth, try to comphrehend what you read, or better yet, do your own search instead of letting others do your thinking.
Oh hell, it's lmclain that said that crap. Didn't notice before. Not much substance or credibility to you anyway, dude.
Certainly not enough to be bothered by your unqualified opinion. Silly me. lol
6:00 PM
....I loved the comment about "if you're not doing anything wrong, then why worry about it."
Who said that? I can't find it anywhere except in your post. You off your medicine again?
I would suggest you people do some of your own research on the broader implications of these things. Perhaps 1984 by George Orwell. The "if you're not doing....." comment can be found in numerous posts on this site by the numerous people who don't see anything wrong with warrantless searches, invasion of privacy, secret trials and imprisonment, breaking and entering, etc.....ALL permitted by the Patriot Act, which, for those of you (ignorant and assuming) people who don't know it, decimated and gutted the Bill of Rights. You can insult and denigrate me anytime, but those are the FACTS. You can't argue the facts, so what are you actually saying? If you're okay with those things, then say it. Simple as that. Tell us where you stand. Because you are either FOR them or against them. I'm against them. And not ashamed to say it.
12:20 PM
lmclain said"I would suggest you people do some of your own research on the broader implications of these things. Perhaps 1984 by George Orwell"
lmao. Use a fictional book for research? Now I see why you are always in outer space.
"The "if you're not doing....." comment can be found in numerous posts on this site by the numerous people who don't see anything wrong with warrantless searches, invasion of privacy,"
Even if true, it doesn't matter. Has nothing to do with this thread. Focus.
You are correct about the patriot act tho. FYI, The act is currently set to expire May 29, 2011; after a 90 day extension from February 28 by congress
As far as the insults go, you drew first blood. And besides, you open yourself up to it.As we all do time to tiime.
But I'll leave you alone for awhile. It does seem like you are being ganged up on. Peace
2:22...I will respond to your post and then leave it alone, too. 1)although "1984" IS a fictitional work, it HAS been cited by numerous people as an outstanding (and has been required reading in many political science courses) study in the power and authority an overeaching government can wield. 2) the "if you aren't doing anything wrong...." part was inferred (in that article) by the ACLU lawyer Fancher, who correctly pointed out that the police use that reasoning often when trying to justify their latest intrusive measure. So, I was "focused"....3) the only possible "insult" in my 6:00 post was when I said "you must be a cop".....I agree--- that is an insult, and was intended as such. 4) the things I say about the slippery slope, in regards to the erosion of our rights and the disdain for those rights by our leaders, are views shared by millions of people, including many IN the government, and otherwise educated and informed people. Outer space is becoming rather crowded...5) I'm not worried about being ganged up on...lol...I post my views under my name, not "anonymous", because I CAN defend my views and not hide snickering and derisive remarks behind "anonymous"....the fact that our Bill of Rights (which many have died protecting) has been trashed and technology is being used in ways against American citizens that suppress those rights is something that cannot be denied...some people don't like it being pointed out, or wish to blindly ignore it, or think that "if you aren't doing anything wrong...." then the trashing of those rights is okay... but it DOESN'T change the FACT that it is happening.6) I haven't seen anyone posting an answer to my question--- are you for a totalitarian government with pervasive surveillance of the populace or do you want a free society where some bad things happen sometimes because of that very freedom? We are quickly headed for the former. 7) Peace, my brother, to you, too.
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