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US cell carriers are selling access to real-time phone location data

zdnet.com

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Re: US cell carriers are selling access to real-time phone location data

#11

Post by drewnick »

21 wrote: post #5

Can someone with a US phone see if this try-before-you-buy page works? https://www.locationsmart.com/try/ It would be fucking unbelievable if you were able to track any US phone number like that, no ID, no court order.

I just tested it with two phones in different states and it was within .54 miles.

An SMS consent was required first. (Reply YES to consent)

Re: US cell carriers are selling access to real-time phone location data

#12

Post by heroprotagonist »

21 wrote: post #5

Can someone with a US phone see if this try-before-you-buy page works? https://www.locationsmart.com/try/ It would be fucking unbelievable if you were able to track any US phone number like that, no ID, no court order.

Yes. It provided a radius, with the center ~6 blocks away from me.

Ugh...

Re: US cell carriers are selling access to real-time phone location data

#13

Post by harlanji »

I got the feeling something like this was going on when collection calls became responsive to my location changes the majority of the time. Imagine having no real enjoyment in life, being working poor, and each time you do leave the house you’re greeted with a reminder that you’re in debt and they’re watching you. I don’t doubt the depths of what we’ll find companies doing with access like this.

Re: US cell carriers are selling access to real-time phone location data

#17

Post by bassman9000 »

Kevin Bankston, director of New America's Open Technology Institute, explained in a phone call that the Electronic Communications Privacy Act only restricts telecom companies from disclosing data to the government. It doesn't restrict disclosure to other companies, who then may disclose that same data to the government.

He called that loophole "one of the biggest gaps in US privacy law."

No shit.

Re: US cell carriers are selling access to real-time phone location data

#18

Post by 15charlimit »

21 wrote: post #5

Can someone with a US phone see if this try-before-you-buy page works? https://www.locationsmart.com/try/ It would be fucking unbelievable if you were able to track any US phone number like that, no ID, no court order.

Other responses indicate that the recipient/target has to opt into their location being shown via an SMS, so I fail to understand the outrage assuming the same requirement exists for the non-trial version.

Re: US cell carriers are selling access to real-time phone location data

#19

Post by kevin_thibedeau »

15charlimit wrote: post #18
21 wrote: post #5

Can someone with a US phone see if this try-before-you-buy page works? https://www.locationsmart.com/try/ It would be fucking unbelievable if you were able to track any US phone number like that, no ID, no court order.

Other responses indicate that the recipient/target has to opt into their location being shown via an SMS, so I fail to understand the outrage assuming the same requirement exists for the non-trial version.

You think consent is being asked for on the non-trial version? This is the service LEOs use to track down fugitives dumb enough to carry their phone. They aren't going to ask for any consent.

Re: US cell carriers are selling access to real-time phone location data

#20

Post by kevin_thibedeau »

haZard_OS wrote: post #14

I never turn location services on and I run on mobile data (rather than WiFi) almost every moment of the day. My location was correctly determined within the specified range. sigh Ridiculous.

This doesn't involve location services. The more interesting question is if it works on dual SIM phones for both SIMs.
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