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US Government targets Cop City protester over phone operating system

theguardian.com

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Re: US Government targets Cop City protester over phone operating system

#91

Post by grapheneos »

verdverm wrote: post #10
ImJamal wrote: post #3

It looks like there are a lot of issues here on the government side, but it also appears like the protestor intentionally gave them a password that, when used, wipes the phone? That seems like a clear example of destruction of evidence.

You do not have to give them your pin, by law. They can use biometrics to open your device, which is why you should not use biometrics for device unlocking. GraphenOS has a couple of settings, a distress pin that wipes the device, and a number of failed attempts that will wipe the device. If the person handed over their "pin", they didn't need to

It doesn't wipe after a certain number of failed attempts but rather the secure element only permits a total of 20 attempts and heavily throttles the rate those can be done. That's a standard feature for Android 16 QPR2 and later for devices implementing the recommendations. The list of devices with it likely currently only includes Pixels but we'll make sure to have it on the upcoming Motorola Mobility devices.

We wrote an overview of the features we provide:

https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/40700-grapheneos-protection...

Re: US Government targets Cop City protester over phone operating system

#92

Post by ytoawwhra92 »

goatlover wrote: post #45
cogman10 wrote: post #38

This whole thing highlights how insane US border law is. Sam was physically in the US, but because he was on an international flight, he was arrested in a manner that would be unconstitutional anywhere else in the US. He was denied a lawyer, questioned for I presume hours, had his phone stolen without a warrant, and then was released because there was no crime CBP could figure out how to charge him with then and ther…

Indeed. Hopefully the next administration will hold current officials accountable for such abuses of power.

This problem pre-dates the current administration. Safe to say it has bipartisan support.

https://www.aclu.org/documents/constitution-100-mile-border-...

Re: US Government targets Cop City protester over phone operating system

#93

Post by chirau »

margalabargala wrote: post #59
wbl wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Better to die on ones feet than live on ones knees.

You have it backwards. It is better to live on one's feet, than to die on one's knees.

Nope. You have it backwards. It is better to die on one's feet (being brave, and keeping your honor even if that means you dying), than to live on one's knees (living your life in fear and obedience).

Re: US Government targets Cop City protester over phone operating system

#94

Post by margalabargala »

chirau wrote: post #93
margalabargala wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You have it backwards. It is better to live on one's feet, than to die on one's knees.

Nope. You have it backwards. It is better to die on one's feet (being brave, and keeping your honor even if that means you dying), than to live on one's knees (living your life in fear and obedience).

Whooosh.

Re: US Government targets Cop City protester over phone operating system

#95

Post by bootlooped »

deejaaymac wrote: post #43
bootlooped wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think the crime of destroying evidence / tampering with evidence depends on what your status in custody is. If the police knock on your front door and you start shredding documents, that's still a crime. Now, could that get tossed about because they denied him access to a lawyer? Maybe, I don't know about that part.

What if I have a camera/microphone near my front door, that when law enforcement is detected, it auto wipes my data, with no interaction from me?

I don't think it ceases to be a crime if you automate it. What if instead of wiping data it set off a shotgun that was pointed at the door?

Re: US Government targets Cop City protester over phone operating system

#96

Post by Andromxda »

ragall wrote: post #74
cherryteastain wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

GrapheneOS has a feature to scramble the locations of the numbers on the passcode unlock screen to prevent this exact problem

That can be helpful only if surveillance cannot film the screen directly, and surveillance relies on the position of the fingers. Given modern 4k cameras it's unlikely the latter can be done but not the former.

You can also use a privacy screen protector. Or use the two factor fingerprint unlock, which requires both a fingerprint and a PIN to unlock. And that's only after first unlock, so you can still use a separate, strong passphrase for BFU state.

Re: US Government targets Cop City protester over phone operating system

#97

Post by ragall »

Andromxda wrote: post #96
ragall wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That can be helpful only if surveillance cannot film the screen directly, and surveillance relies on the position of the fingers. Given modern 4k cameras it's unlikely the latter can be done but not the former.

You can also use a privacy screen protector. Or use the two factor fingerprint unlock, which requires both a fingerprint and a PIN to unlock. And that's only after first unlock, so you can still use a separate, strong passphrase for BFU state.

Sure, a privacy screen makes things a bit more difficult for surveillance, because the camera would need a line of sight at a low angle, but once the code is known, the attacker can force a fingerprint and input the code.

Re: US Government targets Cop City protester over phone operating system

#98

Post by abalashov »

garyfirestorm wrote: post #44
bonkusbingus wrote: post #42

This is a good article, and it brings much-needed attention to this case, which so far has not received the level of public awareness that is consummate with seriousness with which the federal government intends to weaken or undermine the First, Fourth, and Fifth Amendment rights of every American in prosecuting these bogus charges against Sam. However, it makes an erroneous equivocation that, I believe, has profound…

I don’t think courts care about technicality here. They’re going to simply ask “why didn’t it unlock like a normal phone does” -> aka you’re deliberately hiding evidence from us. I’m sure this case will be dropped because it will open bigger can of worms and may jeopardize the current practice of warrantless invasive searches at the entry points. Secretly I hope this goes to Supreme Court and once and for all they cl…

I wish I shared your optimism. For the sake of the accused, I hope you're right, but I could see them really doubling down on this.

Re: US Government targets Cop City protester over phone operating system

#99

Post by abalashov »

ImJamal wrote: post #3

It looks like there are a lot of issues here on the government side, but it also appears like the protestor intentionally gave them a password that, when used, wipes the phone? That seems like a clear example of destruction of evidence.

Evidence of what?
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