Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Cellphone Spy Tools Have Flooded Local Police Departments

citylab.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

81–90 of 98 posts

Re: Cellphone Spy Tools Have Flooded Local Police Departments

#81

Post by nawtacawp »

troncheadle wrote: post #24

So what is the move if you are caught with your pants down, and a LEO is requesting access to your actual phone? Does a factory restore wipe all data, or is in necessary to wipe, fill up with bunk data, wipe again? I don't know about everyone else but my phone is has data including me talking about controversial opinions, intimate photos, and various other data that I would not want anyone else to have.

First, it would vary by phone -- but if LEO is requesting your phone and do not have a warrant (yet), they could still seize the phone citing exigent circumstances. The exigent circumstances being that if they left the phone in the custody of the subject, then they will likely delete the contents or at least could delete the contents. Once the phone is in LEO possession then they can take the time to apply for a warrant to search the device.

So -- if you get to the point of LEO requesting your phone and you have data on your phone, then it is too late.

Re: Cellphone Spy Tools Have Flooded Local Police Departments

#82

Post by nawtacawp »

jakelarkin wrote: post #12

'Cellebrite "Pro Series" purchases all appear to include the firm’s Cloud Analyzer tool, which extracts “private-user cloud data” by "utilizing login information extracted from the mobile device.' Chilling that is can be done without a warrant e.g. arrested protesters or to citizens crossing the US border.

I would venture to say that a search warrant for a device, would not cover the contents stored in the cloud. While the cellebrite does have this feature I would presume a separate warrant would be required to obtain the cloud data, which is located in another physical location.

Re: Cellphone Spy Tools Have Flooded Local Police Departments

#86

Post by JustSomeNobody »

thehardsphere wrote: post #47
JustSomeNobody wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Power. Invoking public fear. Using that as an end-around the 1st Amendment.

You mean the 4th Amendment?

I meant 1st. If you have concern they may be listening, you may be less likely to say something.

Re: Cellphone Spy Tools Have Flooded Local Police Departments

#87

Post by fdanconia21 »

tastythrowaway2 wrote: post #43
sh-run wrote: post #9

I've lived in Fort Worth, TX for about a year. I was already aware of the existence of these devices. I had no clue that my local PD was spending such an insane amount of money on surveillance. It's also worth mentioning that our population is only 792K. I've lived in Texas most of life and in general I think the people here are great. However, Texans do have a tendency to blindly support anything the Military and Po…

It's not just Texas. I've lived in big and small cities in several east coast states and the blind support is always something I just can't grok. the only difference over here is nobody has an issue with big government.

Here in Chicago we are quickly losing faith and respect for our police force.

Re: Cellphone Spy Tools Have Flooded Local Police Departments

#88

Post by fao_ »

dogma1138 wrote: post #65
nojvek wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I never understand why America spends an obscene amount of money to make technology to kill other people. Education is suffering, public transportation and healthcare is ridiculously behind western nations but military still gets an insane budget. I would like Google and Apple to really up their game on security.

Check the list of largest arm exporters and manufacturers the enlightened EU says hi.

total budget of the EU on Military: $226.73 billion

total nominal GDP: $16.97 trillion

total budget of the US on Military: $3.97 trillion

total nominal GDP: $18.56 trillion

Re: Cellphone Spy Tools Have Flooded Local Police Departments

#89

Post by ParadoxOryx »

lfender6445 wrote: post #83

Would wifi calling help in a situations like these?

Yes, your calls would be traveling over an encrypted tunnel to the carrier instead of the (simulated) cell tower, thus preventing the Stingray/site-simulator from carrying and listening in on your call.

However, it would not stop someone from listening to the call at any point over the rest of the path since the call itself is not encrypted, only the transport between the carrier and your phone.

Re: Cellphone Spy Tools Have Flooded Local Police Departments

#90

Post by Pigo »

sreenadh wrote: post #48
sh-run wrote: post #9

I've lived in Fort Worth, TX for about a year. I was already aware of the existence of these devices. I had no clue that my local PD was spending such an insane amount of money on surveillance. It's also worth mentioning that our population is only 792K. I've lived in Texas most of life and in general I think the people here are great. However, Texans do have a tendency to blindly support anything the Military and Po…

>However, Texans do have a tendency to blindly support anything the Military and Police want to do, while at the same time complaining about big government. I did observe that. Why is that so? Historically was the police or sheriffs independent from the government?

My experience here in Houston (Spring) is that the police will come down hard on people who are breaking laws regarding endangering others, moving large amounts of drugs, or general asshat'dness. But otherwise, they let stuff slide with maybe a stern lecture. So the public I'm familiar with trusts the law enforcement. Maybe I'm naive, but I've not witnessed abuse of power or Barney Fife'ness like I did in Ohio.

When it comes to the military or anything coming from Washington, everyone's inner Dale Gribble comes out.

Post reply on HN