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FBI Obtains Phone Records With a Post-it Note

Posted by samzenpus on from the do-you-have-a-subpoena-or-a-note-from-home? dept.

angry tapir writes "The FBI was so cavalier — and telecom companies so eager to help — that a verbal request or even one written on a Post-it note was enough for operators to hand over customer phone records, according to a damning report (PDF) released on Wednesday by the US Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General."

3 of 187 comments (clear)

  1. No website really promises privacy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    Every privacy policy that I've read - and I read every one for every website I do business with - states that they will give information to law enforcement or to entities that enable them to do business or to enhance my customer experience and then some.

    They also say that they can change the terms any time they want.

    In other words, no website really promises to keep you or your data private in their policies.

    Google is one of the biggest offenders, btw. They constantly change their shit.

  2. Re:Law enforcement thinks they're above the law. by Verteiron · · Score: 4, Informative

    Well, there's this, which is probably the safest method for voice communication. There are software apps for Windows Mobile that encrypt voice connections. You could use an Android phone and Google Voice, provided Google doesn't crater immediately to post-it requests. You could use Skype with the same proviso.

    Bottom line is, though, if you have something that you really, really don't want the government to know about it, don't use a phone (particularly and especially a regular cell phone) to communicate it.

    --
    End of lesson. You may press the button.
  3. Trump phrases by psithurism · · Score: 5, Informative

    Wait, I thought the trump card was "But think of the children!"

    There's a whole suit of 'em:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thought-terminating_clich%C3%A9