Slashdot Mirror
Police and Lawyers Love E-ZPass
John_Schmidt writes "The AP is reporting that police are using EZ-Pass records to solve crimes. Lawyers are also getting the records to use in divorce cases. The article also mentions that the NYS Thruway has sensors to read the cards along the highway (not just at toll booths) but says the data is scrambled and not stored."
The EZ-Pass transponder comes with an anti-static bag which blocks transmission of signals to the device, in case you may wish to pay the toll by other means. The EZ-Pass instructions implore you to keep the bag in your glove compartment at all times.
Don't forget that other tracking device that we all carry, cell phones. It's constantly transmitting while powered on. Right now, the phone company only logs your location by cell site, a radius of many miles. Police could still find someone by triangulating their signal with specialized (meaning expensive) equipment, but E911 changes all that. They'll be required to pinpoint the location of any caller by 50-100 meters.
In Houston, Texas, the highway department has placed transponders all over the highway system... not just on the tollways, but on the freeways as well. This data is used to create very cool real-time maps of traffic conditions.
Since the transponders are compatible with other Amtech/TransCore systems, even vehicles from Oklahoma, Dallas, and other cities help keep the map up to date. In fact, the Dallas and Houston tollway systems are now interconnected -- the same tag will let you cruise through both systems.
Of course, the privacy implications of this convenience have been obvious from the beginning. If you have the need or desire for true anonymity, though, you're not in the market for a (non-disposable) cell phone or a TollTag anyway.
Stressed? Me? Of course not. Stress is what a rubber band feels before it breaks, silly.
First off, in your scenario you are suggesting that the IRS will audit you and find out you are cheating on your taxes. That's illegal, and whatever happens to you or whoever else doing something illegal that gets caught by this will get no sympathy from anybody.
With that said, I don't see how establishing a pattern that you went over the tappan zee every day as to show how much money are you actually bringing in. If you claiming you are only making $24k a year, when you live in a $300k house and drive your $30k truck over the Tappan Zee every day, there are a multitude of ways to figure it out.
A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over. -Benjamin Franklin
Actually, it wasn't voluntary and they use a penalty clause in their contract to increase revenue. They charge the renters credit card an added 'insurance fee' that increases per mph over limit. (I'll have to search the NPR archives to find it. I'm pretty sure it was a Morning Edition item.)
The potato it is uninformed.
Don't do anything wrong. Then you won't have to worry about the police tracking you.
That's remarkably naive. If politicians stopped making everything I'm currently doing illegal in a vain attempt to be seen to be doing something, or if police weren't so blindly zealous in their enforcement of laws that the public they are their to serve and protect doesn't want, then *maybe* I would have less to worry about. As it is however, if I change nothing in my behaviour, I'm fairly certain I would be arrested within 5 years - despite not breaking the laws of today.
It's the old story... make everyone a criminal, then you can detain anyone you want.
Forget thrust, drag, lift and weight. Airplanes fly because of money.
You seem so sure of your info, and yet a quick Google for 'automotive "black boxes"' show that you are the one who is incorrect. In fact, not only are the black-boxes already deployed, they have already been used against people in court. They are not yet required by law, but they are out there and in growing numbers.
4 12 /detail.html
3 84 756.htm
. ht m
http://privacynotes.com/EDR_Automotive/
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/automotive/2029
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/front/3
http://www.seniormag.com/headlines/blackboxcars
"Gold still represents the ultimate form of payment in the world." - Alan Greenspan, 1999
The E-Z Pass comes with a mylar/metallic bag (looks like a typical anti-static bag) in which you can place the unit if you don't want it to be detected (e.g., if you elect to pay cash at the toll booth you won't be charged on your EZ Pass account). That's why I just place it on the dash when I go through a toll, then I put it away.
Research shows that 67% of those who use the term "research shows", are just making shit up.
"most recorders store only limited information on speed, seat-belt use, physical forces, brakes and other factors."
"gives critical data about speed, breaking and seat belt use."
"Generally, all newer cars with air bags are equipped with modules that determine when the bags are deployed."
and, the piece de resistance, from your last link:
Gosh, no GPS. Funny thing. Ya don't suppose those boxes might NOT have been meant for Keeping The Man On Top(TM)?
Gosh, it's unthinkable. Quick, put the tinfoil hat back on. They's a-coming.
The opinions stated herein do not necessarily represent those of anybody at all. Deal with it.