London Police To Extract Data From Suspects' Mobile Phones -- And Keep It Even If No Charges Are Brought
from the hands-off-my-digital-DNA dept
As the mobile phone moves closer to the center of daily life in many parts of the world, combining phone, computer, camera, diary, music player, and much else all in one, it becomes a concentrated store of the digital DNA that defines us -- who we talk to, what we search for, who we meet, what we listen to. However convenient that may be for us as users, it's also extremely dangerous if it falls into the wrong hands.
Unfortunately, in the UK, it looks like London's police force must now join the list of "wrong hands":
The Metropolitan Police has implemented a system to extract mobile phone data from suspects held in custody.
If a crime has been committed, there is an argument that extracting the data in this way in order to secure a conviction might be justified if carried out with appropriate authorization. But clearly, keeping all that highly personal data as a matter of course, even if no charges are brought, is a breach of privacy and human rights.
The data includes call history, texts and contacts, and the BBC has learned that it will be retained regardless of whether any charges are brought.
It's also pretty pointless. After all, anyone who uses their phone for nefarious purposes will make sure that they can render the contents irrevocably inaccessible with just a couple of clicks - apps that let you do this are likely to proliferate in the wake of this latest development. So most of the data gathered by the police will be that of law-abiding citizens, who don't feel the need to take this precaution.
However, there is an interesting parallel here with the similarly unjustified retention of a suspect's DNA, even if no charges were brought, that took place routinely in the UK from 2004. The European Court of Human Rights deemed this a breach of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which provides a "Right to respect for private and family life", and the UK government was forced to change its approach. The same logic would seem to apply in the case of the digital DNA held on our mobile phones. Let's hope the UK police consider this before rolling out their disproportionate plans.
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Filed Under: human rights, london, mobile phones, uk
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Common Sense
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Re: Common Sense
As a thought experiment, let's see if that 'common sense' still actually makes sense as we ratchet up the invasion of privacy shall we?
The Government is rifling through your mail... "So don't use the postal service", right?
The Government is following you everywhere in your car... "So don't drive cars" right?
The Government is searching your home while you're out... "So don't live in your home" right?
The Government is arresting its political enemies... "So don't go out in public" right?
At what point does the argument stop making sense for you?
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Re: Re: Common Sense
If you can't live without a cell phone, give up now, because you're part of the problem you're bawling about.
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Re: Re: Re: Common Sense
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Re: Re: Re: Common Sense
Do you carry a drool bucket around with you or do you let people slip on the puddles your slack jaw and vacant expression cause?
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Re: Re: Common Sense
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Re: Re: Re: Common Sense
They don't need to physically follow you to achieve the same effect.
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How convenient
UK government staff caught snooping on citizen data
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Prior Art
UK government staff caught snooping on citizen data
So what you're illustrating is that life imitates art over 30 years later , only with a far worse outcome?
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Android encryption
Am I right in thinking than Android encrypts contacts, call records, etc. and so these would not be legible, but a separate app would be required to encrypt the SD card? Yes? No?
Are there any known weaknesses to Androids encryption?
Are there any back doors that Google can access?
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Re: Android encryption
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Re: Re: Android encryption
Android includes encryption options now (since 3.0) but I'm pretty sure it doesn't do the SD card.
I want to know how secure it is, and what it encrypts/what it doesn't encrypt....
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Outrageous
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Re: Outrageous
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This coming from a country where rampant phone hacking has been acceptable behavior for many years. Only recently has this become an issue because of the many complaints there were finally a few which had sufficient influence. As it is with these situations, there are a few scape goats which have their hands slapped, politicians promise safeguards will be put in place and everything goes back to the way it was before the big commotion started.
It is interesting how the two sets of rules also applies in this situation. It is perfectly acceptable to spy upon the little people, trampling their rights in new ways everyday. But if there is even the possibility of big wig rights encroachment, the hammer will fall hard my friend.
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So if you get in a scuffle with the police, unless filming them is pertinent at the time, turn your phone off, and the filth wont be able to rifle through your stuff uninvited.
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Re:
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Please help me Sir or Ma'am
I live in South Korea is son-tae,CHU.
Scotland Yard web site address if you know you let me know.
$ 16,000.00 to the woman I met on the internet and got voice phishing.
two days ago I send a evidence document by BBC broadcasting evidence and transfer documents and sent her home address and office address, but no reply yet.
South Korea did not receive help from the British Embassy.
E-mail address or web site if you facet London police station, then please let us know.
Thanks a million.
2012.5.24
SON-TAE,CHU
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e-mail address
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