Deputy US Marshal pleads guilty to obtaining cell phone location unlawfully [pdf]

Post by [deleted] » Mon, Jul 10, 2023, 7:07 AM UTC

matheusmoreira wrote: post #11

monero-xmr wrote: post #4

It sounds like this was a piece of software where you uploaded a PDF of “proof” that you had the authority to track anyone in America, and then it let you. And someone finally bothered to look at the proof and it was a blank page. This is why I’m against giving the government the power to intercept communications or middle-man encryption. They always pitch it like “This power will be protected by courts and warrants…

See also LOVEINT. Every once in a while, some NSA spy gets caught spying on their loved ones. Not even incompetence, just plain malice and abuse. Looks like they don't even face any criminal charges either. Governments are essentially adversaries, enemies we have to defend against. It must be mathematically impossible for them to abuse their power. Anything short of that is not enough.

Post by matheusmoreira » Mon, Jul 10, 2023, 10:35 AM UTC

theossuary wrote: post #35

matheusmoreira wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

See also LOVEINT. Every once in a while, some NSA spy gets caught spying on their loved ones. Not even incompetence, just plain malice and abuse. Looks like they don't even face any criminal charges either. Governments are essentially adversaries, enemies we have to defend against. It must be mathematically impossible for them to abuse their power. Anything short of that is not enough.

That's just impossible. Even if everyone had perfect e2e encryption, the government could just ban it and throw people who use it in jail. You can't solve social problems with technology. What is necessary is a governmental system which tends away from the abuse of power. This requires better voting, more transparency, and the literacy and engagement of its citizens. The problem is, just like in Conway's game of life…

Post by wpietri » Mon, Jul 10, 2023, 2:56 PM UTC

AnthonyMouse wrote: post #55

wpietri wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Anything short of that is not enough. I like that in spirit, but not as a practical standard. A major function of government is to prevent abuses of power. So I'm more inclined to shoot for overall minimization of abuse.

> A major function of government is to prevent abuses of power. But they can still do this. If you want to know where someone is, instead of compelling devices or carriers to spy on everyone at all times, you attach a tracker to the suspect's vehicle, or assign an agent to follow them. That's more expensive -- which is the deterrent to abuse. A bad cop doesn't have time to follow around their ex all day. They do have…

Post by mcpackieh » Mon, Jul 10, 2023, 5:44 PM UTC

csdvrx wrote: post #96

mcpackieh wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What if you're not unconscious, but badly concussed or otherwise dazed? You can't count on having a clear and level mind in the aftermath of an unspecified emergency.

If I don't have a clear mind due to being "badly concussed or otherwise dazed", what makes you think my mind would be clear enough to place a call?

Post by rnk » Tue, Jul 11, 2023, 6:03 PM UTC

snypher wrote: post #98

rnk wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Okay, but what about trusting everyone in the world and doing a random car and phone swap every morning, isn't that a great idea?

Tor; the onion rideshare.