Senator Seeks More Info On DOJ Location Tracking Practices

Gunkerty Jeb writes "Senator Al Franken (D-MN) is demanding answers to questions about the U.S. Department of Justice practice of gathering data from wireless providers in order to monitor individuals' movements using mobile phone location data. In a letter (PDF) to Attorney General Eric Holder, Franken said, 'I was further concerned to learn that in many cases, these agencies appear to be obtaining precise records of individuals' past and current movements from carriers without first obtaining a warrant for this information. I think that these actions may violate the spirit if not the letter of the Jones decision.'"

Comments

government

[wierd_w]

The only "decision" these government agencies respect is their own decision that they are more important than everyone else, and therefore completely justified in breaking laws.

Afterall, those laws are meant for those other people, not for them.

Too damn many people

[flaming error]

The government is huge and opaque and one congressman represents so many people, that most of us have near-zero access to say a thing about it. Sure we can write letters and they'll tally them up and pile them with the rest. Won't change much.

I'd really like to have my congress critters sit and discuss with me why they don't see this as the problem Franken and Paul do.

Because to me, the Constitution is crystal clear, and the feds are breaking the law.

Re:Too damn many people

[Fjandr]

One of many reasons I believe we should have far more Representatives. The total sum paid to all Reps should not increase, however.

Re:Too damn many people

[artor3]

Midterm congressional elections, nationwide, get around 80-85 million votes. There are 435 representatives. That's around 190k votes per representative. The results turn on a few percentage points. The 2010 midterms, by all accounts a blow-out, had only a 6.5% difference between the major parties. That's around six thousand voters per district, making the difference between a huge Democratic majority and a huge Republican one. And that's before you get into primaries, where turnout is even lower.

Representatives do pay attention to letters and phone calls. They hold town meetings where you can ask them questions. You can make a difference. Not a big one, by yourself, but if people in this country would stop being so defeatist, they could make a big difference in aggregate.

Re:Too damn many people

[EdIII]

Not a big one, by yourself, but if people in this country would stop being so defeatist, they could make a big difference in aggregate.

The problem are the choices. On one hand you have a big shaved ape that is going to take you in the corner and buttfuck you. On the other hand, you have a big shaved ape that is going to rape you in the face.

Geeee.... I wonder why so many people are just burned out and disillusioned about even making the choice?

With partisan politics being so damned bad, even the moderates that at least gave you a reach around are leaving.

Al Franken

[ToadProphet]

Hi, Canada here...

When you're done with Al could you please send him our way? He seems to be one of the few decent politicians left.

Thanks.

To little to late?

[s.petry]

Al Franken is correct in questioning. This is exactly what a person that represents the "People" should be doing. Sadly, Rand Paul, Al Franken, Ron Paul, and a couple others are in such a minority that we won't hear much about this. Mega Media corps will make sure this does not reach Network News in any form to boot, so what ever Al uncovers will be quickly muted by what ever nonsense they feel will cover up the 5 minute news spot.

We really are at a point where the house needs to be cleaned completely. I think if it started to happen, we'd quickly have a police state. The Government has been gearing up for it at least. We can hope the Military prevents it from happening.

Re:To little to late?

[Ironchew]

We really are at a point where the house needs to be cleaned completely. I think if it started to happen, we'd quickly have a police state. The Government has been gearing up for it at least. We can hope the Military prevents it from happening.

The military has a vested interest in operating in a police state. Given the chance, they would usurp it, not prevent it.

Re:To little to late?

[Ironchew]

Leadership perhaps, but even those leaders would be an extreme minority. The majority of the military is made up of people just like you and I.

The military also has a vested interest in making sure those of lower rank (the majority) obey their superiors, otherwise there really wouldn't be much of a point in having a military. History has shown that things get more authoritarian when a nation is overthrown by its military.

When did this change?

[TWX]

When did it change to where the government could get records from a private company about a private individual without a court-issued Warrant? Didn't the whole "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated..." part of the fourth amendment cover private data as effects, or as an electronic version of papers?

If law enforcement feels they need data on a person's whereabouts, and if there's a log of these whereabouts, they should fairly easily be able to make an argument to a judge that they need this information. If they can't find a judge that will grant them this data, then the checks and balances portion of the three-part government worked. It's not like the data is going anywhere if they don't get to it NOW...

Re:When did this change?

[KhabaLox]

When did it change to where the government could get records from a private company about a private individual without a court-issued Warrant?

You don't own the data Google has on you (including your emails, etc.) You don't own your Tweets. That's why that protester couldn't challenge the subpoena the DA served on Twitter. If Google wants to fight to protect their data they have about you, they can (maybe). But you can't, and it's not a violation of your rights for Google to turn over that data, or for the government to go after it without a warrant (it might be a violation of Google's rights).