Thread: Americans' cellphones targeted in secret U.S. spy program

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department is scooping up data from thousands of cellphones through fake communications towers deployed on airplanes, a high-tech hunt for criminal suspects that is snagging a large number of innocent Americans, according to people familiar with the operations.

The U.S. Marshals Service program, which became fully functional around 2007, operates Cessna aircraft from at least five metropolitan-area airports, with a flying range covering most of the U.S. population, according to people familiar with the program.

Planes are equipped with devices — some known as "dirtboxes" to law-enforcement officials because of the initials of the Boeing Co. unit that produces them — which mimic cell towers of large telecommunications firms and trick cellphones into reporting their unique registration information.

rest - http://www.denverpost.com/business/c...-s-spy-program

just sacrifice a little more liberty for the illusion of safety. Maybe if we all go to prison we will be safe one day. At least we will still have the liberty to decide if we want the green peas or the corn niblets.

Thats still living, isnt it?

Originally Posted by ShaneFalco

just sacrifice a little more liberty for the illusion of safety. Maybe if we all go to prison we will be safe one day. At least we will still have the liberty to decide if we want the green peas or the corn niblets. Thats still living, isnt it?

What's the problem? If you've got nothing to hide...

Originally Posted by SeeingRed

What's the problem? If you've got nothing to hide...

I have nothing to hide, but I find this to be a big problem.

Originally Posted by Ravage!!!

I have nothing to hide, but I find this to be a big problem.

It's a clear invasion of privacy. I was just stoking the fire.

America = paranoia

Originally Posted by Nomad

America = paranoia

or..

Americans = blind faith in govt.

Originally Posted by SeeingRed

It's a clear invasion of privacy. I was just stoking the fire.

Oh.. lol.. sorry. I guess you know just how often that exact response is said in situations like this!

Originally Posted by Ravage!!!

or..

Americans = blind faith in govt.

I say both.

Originally Posted by Northman

I say both.

I don't trust the govt fully, but I'm not going to live my life looking over my shoulder all the time.

Originally Posted by Ravage!!!

or..

Americans = blind faith in govt.

I agree. It wasn't a shot at you(hope you didn't take it that way), but I do get a laugh at Falco. He's the guy at the party looking through the blinds.

Originally Posted by Nomad

I agree. It wasn't a shot at you(hope you didn't take it that way), but I do get a laugh at Falco. He's the guy at the party looking through the blinds.

Nah, not at all. I actually was pretty "trusting" of the govt. But, as I get older and wiser... I realize that being treated like a 'suspect' or a prisoner is pretty disgusting. That being said, I'm not into the 'black helicopters' and worrying about the secret underground tunnels that the govt has to everyone's houses.

I'm not thrilled about it, but it's an unfortunate reality of the world we live in.

What's the answer? How do you expect them (Gov't) to find and/or track potential terrorists or threats?

Not being a dick, it's an honest question.

Originally Posted by BroncoJoe

I'm not thrilled about it, but it's an unfortunate reality of the world we live in.

What's the answer? How do you expect them (Gov't) to find and/or track potential terrorists or threats?

Not being a dick, it's an honest question.

Unfortunately, I think the govt uses the "its tracking terrorists" for anything they want to do that is considered unconstitutional. They want to look into your homes without probable cause.... they now have that right if they throw in the "suspected terrorist." They want to illegally tap your phone..."suspected terrorist." Its now getting the thpoint that we are simply allowing our govt to take the rights we would have gone to war to keep... simply because of a fear of terrorists.

Once we opened those gates, and allowed the govt to breach our constitutional rights by claiming "its all in the name of fighting terrorist".... we will most probably never get them closed again.

Originally Posted by Ravage!!!

Unfortunately, I think the govt uses the "its tracking terrorists" for anything they want to do that is considered unconstitutional. They want to look into your homes without probable cause.... they now have that right if they throw in the "suspected terrorist." They want to illegally tap your phone..."suspected terrorist." Its now getting the thpoint that we are simply allowing our govt to take the rights we would have gone to war to keep... simply because of a fear of terrorists.

Once we opened those gates, and allowed the govt to breach our constitutional rights by claiming "its all in the name of fighting terrorist".... we will most probably never get them closed again.

That's great commentary, and I don't necessarily disagree, but you didn't answer my question.

What is the alternative?