Tuesday, August 19, 2008

I don't think so

There's an article on CNN's website about cops using GPS for tracking criminal suspects. It does make one think a bit, but overall I think it's a bad idea without a warrant. Read the whole thing if you want to catch the gist of why, but the reason for my post is that in the article there's a quote that just stood out from the rest of the article:
"Law enforcement has a legitimate right to try to solve crimes and track suspects, provided that there are protections so that the innocent are not improperly snooped upon," said Norman Reimer, executive director of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Negative. Law enforcement doesn't have rights. They have powers that are given to them which, in theory anyways, can be rescinded. They are expected to try and solve crimes and track suspects, but there is no "legitimate right." Be careful what you wish for.

Something else that caught my eye:

"It's a wonderful tool for law enforcement [GPS]," Reimer said.

"The question always comes down to how much are we willing to give up in freedom and privacy for how much marginal increase in our security."

Indeed.

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