Courts rule you don't own your "LOCATION HISTORY" data

The only thing more boring than my life is the life of the guy who's job it is to track and monitor my movements. Kind of like from the Snail's perspective, that turtle is really fast.

JRS & B wrote:
I thought well funded terrorist type people get around some (certainly not all) of the scrutiny by buying prepaid disposable phones and routinely throwing them away.

I believe that's the reason for " blanket" cell phone surveillance

I thought well funded terrorist type people get around some (certainly not all) of the scrutiny by buying prepaid disposable phones and routinely throwing them away.

There are bills pending in Congress to fix this. But I think we have a serious 4th amendment issue here myself.

rockhillmanor wrote:

Stefonius wrote:
As for your ability to "opt out" of having your location tracked, anyone can do this at any time. Every phone has a built-in function called "off" that does exactly that.

According to the news report there is no opt out. And no they don't have to get a warrant to get it from the provider.

"Buy a cellphone, and you automatically consent to having the government track your every move.... You cannot opt out."

You miss my point. They cannot track a cell phone that is not powered on. If you want to be incognito, turn the darned thing off.

I used to repair cell phones back in the days when they weighed as much as a cinder block and cost as much as a used car. The cell phone companies have always had the ability to locate you as long as the phone is turned on. Anybody with the proper equipment can track you. The equipment is legally available. As long as you're broadcasting a radio signal, you're fair game for anybody, including the government. They can track you in real-time without warrant or cause just like I can.

I don't pretend to know what rules apply to historical research on your movements. IF the phone companies store data on where you've been, I'd imagine it takes a court order to compel them to share it. I don't know if they maintain any such data, though. I can't really see much use for it other than to map locations where they might have too many users for the existing infrastructure.

Canadian Courts have ruled that if the phone is password protected it requires a search warrant otherwise it can be searched. I really don't see that this is an issue if you have nothing to hide. Actually in my opinion the 'locator' function is a good safety device.

abc40kids wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:
Link to story not up on GMA site yet, but they just reported that the courts ruled that we do 'not' own our own data on our smart phones the provider does hence forth the government does not need a warrant to access information. They also track your location (you can not opt out)any time they want and supposedly are doing so. Their reasoning is that it will assist in fighting crime. Gov 1 _ Privacy 0

Hmmm, I'm wondering how much money the gov gave apple to design smart phones? :B

So maybe the courts should rule that since I don't own my data, I shouldn't have to pay for it.

:B

rockhillmanor wrote:
Link to story not up on GMA site yet, but they just reported that the courts ruled that we do 'not' own our own data on our smart phones the provider does hence forth the government does not need a warrant to access information. They also track your location (you can not opt out)any time they want and supposedly are doing so. Their reasoning is that it will assist in fighting crime. Gov 1 _ Privacy 0

Hmmm, I'm wondering how much money the gov gave apple to design smart phones? :B

So maybe the courts should rule that since I don't own my data, I shouldn't have to pay for it.

Stefonius wrote:
As for your ability to "opt out" of having your location tracked, anyone can do this at any time. Every phone has a built-in function called "off" that does exactly that.

According to the news report there is no opt out. And no they don't have to get a warrant to get it from the provider.

GMA doesn't put the current news link up on their site while broadcasting and I am on eastern time. Here is a blog explaining it, BUT keep in mind it's a "blog" NOT a news report.

"Buy a cellphone, and you automatically consent to having the government track your every move.... You cannot opt out."

http://reason.com/blog/2013/07/31/yes-that-is-a-spy-in-your-pocket-federal

When you use or carry a mobile phone, you're constantly broadcasting your location and other details on a semi-public radio frequency. There has never been any reasonable expectation of privacy associated with this. You should never say or do anything on a mobile phone that you wouldn't broadcast over a CB or say live on the 6 o'clock news.

As for your ability to "opt out" of having your location tracked, anyone can do this at any time. Every phone has a built-in function called "off" that does exactly that.