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Inside the U.S. Government-Bought Tool That Can Track Phones at Abortion Clinics (www.404media.co)

submitted 3 weeks ago by otter@lemmy.ca to c/technology@lemmy.world

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Privacy advocates got access to Locate X, a phone tracking tool which multiple U.S. agencies have bought access to, and showed me and other journalists exactly what it was capable of. Tracking a phone from one state to another to an abortion clinic. Multiple places of worship. A school. Following a likely juror to a residence. And all of this tracking is possible without a warrant, and instead just a few clicks of a mouse.

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[–] mx_smith@lemmy.world 5 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Looks like everyone should be getting these bags

[–] ech@lemm.ee 14 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I didn't read the article, but wouldn't the site see the phone as soon as it's taken out of the bag? Unless the plan is to leave the phone in the bag the whole time, at which point it seems easier to just leave it behind.

[–] jewbacca117@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Pretty much. Can't see the rest of the article, but most likely it's just tower data, which only gives a general location. But as soon as you pull your phone out and get messages you would be traceable. Kind of defeats the purpose of having a phone

[–] ITGuyLevi@programming.dev 3 points 3 weeks ago

I'll admit I didn't open the article, as far as I'm aware the best way to sidestep silly requirements like warrants is to just purchase data intended for advertising. Databrokers really have an amazing wealth of info ready to be tapped into, all you gotta do is pay.

[–] laverabe@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Or just hit airplane mode / power off. Or just leave the phone at home, the procedure takes only 5-10 minutes.

People are way to attached to their phones. The world will not collapse in that hour, it is a survivable event, or so I hear from reputable sources.

[–] GreenKnight23@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

airplane mode is on record not trustworthy.

it will not communicate outward, but it will scan for WiFi and BT APs, then report home once you're back online.

even turning your phone off won't help.

you need to remove the battery to be sure.

when I commit my "crimes" against "society" I just leave my phone at home.

"where were you on x night?" - at home

"what were you doing?" - jerking off to the thought of your intelligence guys listening to me beating off

"..."

[–] mx_smith@lemmy.world 6 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Can you really trust airplane mode to ensure there is nothing going out. I agree people should just leave them at home, but these bags are like putting tape over your laptop camera. Just an extra peace of mind when going to the Dr.

[–] laverabe@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I probably wouldn't trust airplane mode, but I do believe power off is safe. There is no transmit capability in off correct?

But yeah, leaving phone at home is best knowing tracking sites like these exist.

[–] GreyEyedGhost@lemmy.ca 2 points 3 weeks ago

It has been know for at least a decade, I think, that the GSM chip could still contact cell towers while the phone was powered off. I'm sure its successor hasn't lost that capability.