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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

#51

Post by hubbahubbahubba »

ImJamal wrote: post #48
woodruffw wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This would be under federal law, not Georgia law I believe. But even assuming it was under Georgia law: it hasn’t been entered into public evidence that the person in question knowingly destroyed anything. It’s entirely possible the phone had nothing of value on it; the prosecution is required to demonstrate that evidence was in fact destroyed or falsified.

He was in Atlanta so he can be charged with a Georgia law even if it was the feds are involved. The federal law is quite similar though so it doesn't really matter. > Whoever knowingly alters, destroys, mutilates, conceals, covers up, falsifies, or makes a false entry in any record, document, or tangible object with the intent to impede, obstruct, or influence the investigation or proper administration of any matter…

Perhaps It had a message involving client-attorney communications? Is there any carve out for that case? Is that still intact or has a jack boot been applied to its throat?

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

#52

Post by wbl »

ThePowerOfFuet wrote: post #46
1attice wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Some of us are on visa and have our online presence routinely scanned these days. Asymmetric vuln. If that's not you, why are you upset when it is acknowledged?

Have you considered living somewhere the Sword of Damocles does not constantly hang over your head? Most of the EU is lovely.

In America you can call politicians names. In Germany that's a criminal offense

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

#53

Post by donkey_brains »

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.

Yeah, and then they’ll give everyone a pony

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

#54

Post by culi »

bdcravens wrote: post #12

"federal authorities had put him on a terrorism watchlist because of his alleged association with the movement against Cop City" Talk about burying the lede

It's sad how much everyone saw this coming. We've been warned since the very beginning that this arbitrary expansion of punishments you can do to anyone labelled a "terrorist" (previous "communist") will inevitably come back to bite us. We saw it with the Red Scares and now we have the Black Scare. FFS, even citizens are getting arrested for moving zines around

Btw, here's a list of the zines for which people got charged as terrorists and sentenced for decades in prison for https://pnppl.cc/prairieland/

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

#55

Post by pstuart »

unethical_ban wrote: post #47
Cider9986 wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or just don't wipe your phone and let the reboot timer do its work and bring your phone to BFU state, effectively uncrackable.

Or turn your phone off while transiting airports. Not a catch-all solution in life, but considering the extra-lack of rights we have there, it makes sense. No need for them if you write down your confirmation number before arriving for departure, in order to get your ticket printed. On landing, have it off until you clear TSA and Customs. It shouldn't be this way, but oh well.

At least disable biometric login.

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

#56

Post by Cider9986 »

pstuart wrote: post #55
unethical_ban wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or turn your phone off while transiting airports. Not a catch-all solution in life, but considering the extra-lack of rights we have there, it makes sense. No need for them if you write down your confirmation number before arriving for departure, in order to get your ticket printed. On landing, have it off until you clear TSA and Customs. It shouldn't be this way, but oh well.

At least disable biometric login.

Grapheneos has pin+biometric second factor as secondary unlock so it should be fine if you use that.

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

#57

Post by tehwebguy »

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?

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

#58

Post by margalabargala »

8note wrote: post #49
bilegeek wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is it legally better ? Absolutely. But all they have to do is say "they did this as a legal workaround for that" and you're no better off, at least not without spending the same amount on lawyers. You can't out-tech your way around a corrupt system, they will find a way to get you.

if you have it running constantly, i dont think that argument can be made id expect that youd be ordered to retain the data though, if an investigation is being done

Any argument can be made, and accepted by a judge, in a sufficiently corrupt system. Like the parent said, you can't out tech this because logic ceases to be applied to laws. It instead become heads I win, tails you lose.

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

#59

Post by margalabargala »

wbl wrote: post #26
1attice wrote: post #2

Quick reminder to my fellows that if you discuss this story here, it will end up immutable and available to law enforcement and, e.g., H1B eligibility deciders. Dark forest

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.

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

#60

Post by atoav »

margalabargala wrote: post #58
8note wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

if you have it running constantly, i dont think that argument can be made id expect that youd be ordered to retain the data though, if an investigation is being done

Any argument can be made, and accepted by a judge, in a sufficiently corrupt system. Like the parent said, you can't out tech this because logic ceases to be applied to laws. It instead become heads I win, tails you lose.

Yes sure, given a sufficiently corrupt system nothing helps. Even being innocent and revealing everything won't help.

But this stance amounts to giving up. Within the wiggle room a system gives us there are still ways to widen cracks or attach a lever, however small they may be.

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