US Pushing Local Police To Keep Quiet On Cell-Phone Surveillance Technology

schwit1 (797399) writes with this story from the Associated Press, as carried by Yahoo News: The Obama administration has been quietly advising local police not to disclose details about surveillance technology they are using to sweep up basic cellphone data from entire neighborhoods, The Associated Press has learned. Citing security reasons, the U.S. has intervened in routine state public records cases and criminal trials regarding use of the technology. This has resulted in police departments withholding materials or heavily censoring documents in rare instances when they disclose any about the purchase and use of such powerful surveillance equipment. Federal involvement in local open records proceedings is unusual. It comes at a time when President Barack Obama has said he welcomes a debate on government surveillance and called for more transparency about spying in the wake of disclosures about classified federal surveillance programs.

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"jody williams" is a paid commentor

[globaljustin]

you're a paid PR commentor, Jody Williams...

I saw your other "Jody Williams" account that uses a google plus login

I bet you feel pretty good when you get upmodded...

you're getting paid while all us tech professionals post our thoughts to /. for free!

we're such suckers!