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They need a judge to OK this kind of stuff. But I don't have a problem with it in general
New York Civil Liberties Union associate legal director Christopher Dunn said it appears the NYPD is "taking phones apart to get information" without warrants.
The NYPD is amassing a database of cell phone users, instructing cops to log serial numbers from suspects' phones in hopes of connecting them to past or future crimes.
In the era of disposable, anonymous cell phones, the file could be a treasure-trove for detectives investigating drug rings and other criminal enterprises, police sources say.
"It's used to help build cases," one source said of the new initiative.
"It doesn't replace the human element, like debriefing prisoners, but it's another tool to use that we didn't have in the past."
A recent internal memo says that when cops make an arrest, they should remove the suspect's cell phone battery to avoid leakage - then jot down the International Mobile Equipment Identity number.
The IMEI number is registered with the service provider whenever a call is made.
Let me make sure I understand this correctly. John Doe is taken into custody. At the time he is taken into custody, the police confirm his ID, his address, contacts. Now in addition to that info, they are also taking John Doe's cell phone info. They are creating a database of cell phone data from suspected criminal's cell phones.
If John Doe phoned up his mom, his girlfriend, his buddy Joe Dirtbomb, the police (by virtue of having his cell info) will also know that. If Joe Dirtbomb happens to be in the business of buying copious amounts of beauty supplies but doesn't own a beauty business -- the police have a lead.
I have no problem with the police creating a database from the info found on suspected criminal's cell phones.
IF they wanted to collect that data from all of us non criminals, only then would I take issue with it.
Let me make sure I understand this correctly. John Doe is taken into custody. At the time he is taken into custody, the police confirm his ID, his address, contacts. Now in addition to that info, they are also taking John Doe's cell phone info. They are creating a database of cell phone data from suspected criminal's cell phones.
If John Doe phoned up his mom, his girlfriend, his buddy Joe Dirtbomb, the police (by virtue of having his cell info) will also know that. If Joe Dirtbomb happens to be in the business of buying copious amounts of beauty supplies but doesn't own a beauty business -- the police have a lead.
I have no problem with the police creating a database from the info found on suspected criminal's cell phones.
IF they wanted to collect that data from all of us non criminals, only then would I take issue with it.
Lets say you are arrested as a "suspected criminal", you'd have no problem with them taking your cell phone info and tracking you?
This is pointless anyway, as criminals don't use traceable phones, they use the throwaway ones.
I am not certain this violates any laws. The police should gather as much information as possible. Cell phone numbers and contacts are just another part of the file. I figure if you are carrying identifying information like a driver's license the names and numbers are fair game. I think cell phones are just as open.
I was stopped for a bogus taillight offense the cops entered all my license information into his datad base. I figure I have an electronic file somewhere in the New Hampshire State Police data base with a "stopped for cause" lable on it. He did not ask for my cell phone. I might have asked for a warrent if I was willing to waste the time.
New York Civil Liberties Union associate legal director Christopher Dunn said it appears the NYPD is "taking phones apart to get information" without warrants.
Did you even read it?
Considering that terrorists have already used cell phones to detonate explosives, is it terrible for the PD to remove batteries from cell phones to disable them, or as they indicated: "prevent leakage"?
It's a matter of semantics. I never considered popping off the battery cover on my phone disassembling it. When my son decided to perfrom exporatory surgery on his dead phone -- that would be disassembling, IMHO.
The NYCLU should be commended for wanting to protect the rights of the individual, no problem with that, but in this day and age we have to give serious consideration as to how technology can be turned against the masses.
A detail from the Madrid bombings:
"The 13th bomb...used a mobile phone (Mitsubishi Trium) as a timer, requiring a SIM card to activate the alarm and thereby detonate. The analysis of the SIM card allowed the police to arrest an alleged perpetrator. On Saturday, 13 March, when three Moroccans and two Pakistanimuslims were arrested for the attacks, it was confirmed that the attacks came from an Islamic group."
A SIM card yielded the information necessary to arrest a suspect.
Lets say you are arrested as a "suspected criminal", you'd have no problem with them taking your cell phone info and tracking you?
This is pointless anyway, as criminals don't use traceable phones, they use the throwaway ones.
The 2nd paragraph of the article acknowledges the toss away phones:
Quote:
In the era of disposable, anonymous cell phones, the file could be a treasure-trove for detectives investigating drug rings and other criminal enterprises, police sources say.
From my reply to Jadex:
Quote:
The 13th bomb...used a mobile phone (Mitsubishi Trium) as a timer, requiring a SIM card to activate the alarm and thereby detonate. The analysis of the SIM card allowed the police to arrest an alleged perpetrator.
If I am brought in as a suspected criminal, they will be tracking me with or without a cell phone.
Knowing that criminals are using cell phones in manners for which they were not intended, I have no issue with the ID numbers being taken from the housing or SIM card.
Imagine what could have happened if the police in Spain didn't take the data from the SIM card on the 13th bomb? Would the suspects have gone on to more terrorist crimes or would they have retired?
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