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Secret Service Allowed To Use Warrantless Cellphone Tracking (myway.com)

mi writes: A mere belief in there being a threat against the President or any other protected person is now sufficient for the U.S. Secret Service to use cell-site simulators (commonly known as "stingrays"). In certain "exceptional circumstances," the stingrays can be used without a judge-signed warrant and even without probable cause. When asked whether this essentially granted a blanket exception for the Secret Service, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Seth Stodder said the exemption would not be used in routine criminal probes, such as a counterfeiting investigation. I suppose, the personal verbal assurance of an executive-branch government employee should put all fears of the citizenry to rest.

4 of 104 comments (clear)

  1. the type of situation by phantomfive · · Score: 1, Insightful

    It's only (reportedly) used in situations where the president is likely to be in danger.
    At some point, you are willing to ruin your court case in exchange for protecting your president.

    --
    "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."
  2. 4th amendment by NoKaOi · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized; unless the government doesn't feel like it.

    FTFY

  3. Voteobama? by mi · · Score: 5, Insightful

    In 2008, when this very site discussed John McCain's opinion on warrantless wiretapping, his views were sufficiently unpopular for TFA to be tagged voteobama...

    The first post requested a link on Obama's view on the subject — and got a +1 Interesting upvote. The reply — with a level-5 moderation — quoted a promise by the then junior Senator from Illinois thus:

    Obama: No warrantless wiretaps if you elect me

    All of you, fellow Slashdotters, who voted for the post-racial Nobel Peace Prize winner based on that (or similar) promise, should ask for your money back. Public self-flagellation is optional.

    --
    In Soviet Washington the swamp drains you.
    1. Re:Voteobama? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I like this new definition of meta-data. When I do SQL meta-data is the column definitions, when you do illegal wiretapping meta-data is everything in the table, all the data, except 1 column with the voice recording. Not sure why you believe they are just not looking at that 1 last column (the voice recording of the call) when they are looking at everything else.

      I guess you are more prone to believe proven liars, that even you admit lied, than I am.