There is a very good television show on the A&E network, call The First 48.

It is a show that is done documentary style, following homicide detectives solving real murders.

The show generally starts at a murder scene, as the detectives begin their investigation.

One of the things that is SOP, is to get the victim's cell phone, to see who they called or who called them.

As the investigation unfolds, if a suspect is determined, they will look into their cell phone as well.

I have no problem with the police doing this kind of data mining.

The obvious question then arises...where does it end? If it were only about catching killers and the like, who could argue with it? Who's to say it couldn't be abused for say, political purposes...tracking your opponents whereabouts in an effort to tie them to some kind of dirt?

The obvious question then arises...where does it end? If it were only about catching killers and the like, who could argue with it? Who's to say it couldn't be abused for say, political purposes...tracking your opponents whereabouts in an effort to tie them to some kind of dirt?

#3 | Posted by American1st at 2009-12-03 06:45 AM

I agree with you completely, the opportunity for abuse is very great.

I am also worried about this data being used in civil matters. How long will it be, before this data can be used against you in a divorce, or a business dispute?

Say for example, you get in a car crash, and the other driver subpoenas your cell phone GPS data to show if you were speeding, or how often you speed.

There is definitly reason to be wary of this.

Oh I so love the first 48. Here is My Favourate of them all www.joeschillaci.com of course I love Caroline Mason and Tony Mullins. as well as that Cuban in Miami. He rocks too.

Larry

#2 | Posted by LarryMohr at 2009-12-03 06:42 AM

It is a good show, but it is also sometimes heartbreaking.

Reminds me of a friend that was dating a cop for a little while. He told me she started getting a bit too clingy for him and she seemed to know things about him that he didn't think she should know.

Hmmmm....I'll have to share this article with him and see what he thinks.

Our taxpayer dollars hard at work. Need any more $ to track all 8 million terrorists?

First thing I did after getting my phone was to go into the manual and learn how to turn off the GPS.

First thing I did after getting my phone was to go into the manual and learn how to turn off the GPS.

#8 | Posted by MSgt at 2009-12-03 11:27 AM

And your phone's GPS is still operating. By turning off the menu option, all you did is turn it off for your use.

But your phone is still reporting its position to the cellular provider, and any 911 center you'd call in an emergency. This became law when the FCC passed the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999.

I am one of those boring people who have nothing to hide.

I am so offended by what I have just read that I don't know how to react.

If this data mining is so simple and automated how long will it be until anyone can track any other person at will.

If there is any real reason to store this information it should be closely guarded and only available to law enforcement with a valid warrent.

Given the choice, I would suggest that it not be stored at all.

I can't see our government doing much if anything to limit the storage of this data since both sides of the aisle are convinced that they know what is best for us and need to keep tabs on everyone just in case they have evil intentions. Their definitions of evil may be different but none of our politicians trust us any more than we trust them.

How do you turn the gps off on a blackberry curve? I went online to the manual and its almost 300 pages long - the reader's digest version, please?

How do you turn the gps off on a blackberry curve? I went online to the manual and its almost 300 pages long - the reader's digest version, please?

#11 | Posted by nanc at 2009-12-03 01:06 PM

You can only turn it off for your use, the GPS still operates. See my #9 post.

Thank you, Roy. I cannot even figure out how to use it!