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Government Wants Carriers to Save Location Data

May 11, 2011, 6:55 PM by Eric M. Zeman

During a hearing about Apple and Google's user location-tracking practices, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Jason Weinstein said that the government wants wireless network operators to store user location data for a period of two years. "When this information is not stored, it may be impossible for law enforcement to collect essential evidence," he said. Apple and Google recently came under fire when it was revealed that the iPhone and Android smartphones track and store some user location data. Weinstein was attending a senate hearing called by Al Franken over the issue. A representative from the Federal Trade Commission stated at the hearing that it believes that devices and applications should only use location data when needed to function correctly. Apple recently updated the iPhone's base software so that it no longer retains user location data. Google hasn't provided an update for Android devices yet.

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Comments

This forum is closed.

This forum is closed.

Azeron

May 11, 2011, 7:26 PM

Should Have Seen Thi Coming

It's cool. Whenever I am going to do something wrong I will just buy a pre-paid. It was one thing when we didn't know those *Bleepards* were storing our data. Now that we know...no sweat.

epik

Even still, I'll buy it from a store that asks for customer name and address, and give them someone else's information to further cover my tracks.

planethulk

Even better yet, whenever I plan my next mega-crime, I will just disable my gps, 3g and 4g services, so the best the government can do is put me within MILES of the location using the cell tower information. Oh wait that won't work because the FBI can...
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...

wrightN

May 11, 2011, 7:14 PM

thanks big brother

'PRECIATE IT

OmegaWolf747

I think people's right to privacy is more important than the convenience of law enforcement.

...

epik

I see two very different things being used here in some of the arguments presented.

There is a distinct difference between the PHONE collecting and keeping location data for two years, and the CARRIER collecting and keeping location data.

The ex...
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planethulk

May 12, 2011, 10:32 AM

The FBI can listen to your cell phone even while it is off...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjEA9gEEfpU »

Anymore questions as to what kind of society we live in today?

epik

I need to make a duct tape flap to cover my mic when I'm not on a call.

planethulk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Jd68_34nsg »

Another video explaining how it actually works...

Funny that Apple is part of this problem and they don't have removable batteries to prevent this.

...

DMZ

Being that this story was only on Fox Noise, I question its validity, like everything else on Fox Noise

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T Bone

To listen in on cell phone calls is no different from listening in on landline calls, it requires a warrant and court order...which requires probable cause, i.e. evidence that your phone calls may provide evidence about criminal activity.

You're gi...
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Slammer

May 12, 2011, 5:32 PM

We Shouldnt Think To Deep.

Retail Stores, realestate markets, car dealers, gun dealers and even the government, have our records on file. Just about everything we purchase, have our records on file. Obviously, some exceptions to the rule are always present.

However, my point is that, our communication industry has not been immune to this practice. It has been widely known for years that the ability to track, trace calls and resurrect call info, could be done and has been done for years.

Unfortunately, crime has become more high tech today. With the major percentage of individuals using cellphones today, it would only be the current path to have our data records on file as well. This is the new way to communicate.

While all this seems like a breach of privac...
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planethulk

No.

planethulk

May 12, 2011, 1:23 PM

The Founders were pretty specific...

There are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the
people by the gradual and silent encroachment of those in power,
than by violent and sudden usurpation.
-- President James Madison. 1751-1836

The natural progress of things is for government to gain ground and
for liberty to yield.
-- President Thomas Jefferson. 1743-1826

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
-- Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), Letter to Josiah Quincy, Sept. 11, 1773.

Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not
have, nor do they deserve, either one.
-- President Thomas Jefferson. 1743-1826

The Tree of Liberty must be re...
(continues)

Red_Minx

These really are some great quotes and I appreciate your sharing them. It truly saddens me to think about the virtues and ideals that created this country having been so forgotten by most who now dwell within it.

-Minx

phatmanxxl

May 11, 2011, 7:40 PM

biased much?

Don't throw android under the bus with apple when has always android made the user aware of location when apple didn't. I don't recall an uproar over android or users demanding location be removed from the os.

Eric M. Zeman

Bias? I don't think so. I didn't throw anyone under the bus. The senate held a hearing about both companies' practices and that's what I reported.

...

Slammer

I happen to know a ton of bus drivers. Not one of them can recall anything or anyone being thrown under theirs while they were driving. In fact, they claim instances like this are very rare.

Based on this info, I would say Eric is a free man.

J...
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T Bone

I know that when you install Google Maps it specifically asks if it can 'send location data to Google'...they promise that the data is 'in aggregate', 'will not be used to personally identify you' and is being sent 'to improve the quality of the softw...
(continues)

justfinethanku

🤣 🤣 🤣

Wow dude, you've really got some chip on your shoulder!

boggerscbshop

May 11, 2011, 7:57 PM

Of Course The Government Wants To Save Location Data

They want to see our every move. I'm so sick of our communist government.

planethulk

It's actually Fascist. I know some people don't like to hear that word, but not liking reality doesn't change it.

...

name

May 12, 2011, 9:52 AM

Back to the Future....

Welcome to 1984. Well, not quite yet, but we're well on our way back to the future...

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