Sunday, February 14, 2010

You can run but you cannot hide

A case was brought by the US Justice Department in a federal appeals court in Philadelphia. The issue was whether the government should be allowed to track a person’s movements based on cellphone records, without a warrant.

The argument of the Department of Justice was that the warrants are only needed to obtain the contents of electronic communications, such as a text or e-mail, or to wiretap a phone. It argued that 1986 Electronics Communications Privacy Act allows police to obtain “non-content” data without a warrant. In addition, the cell tower records provide only a very general indication of a user’s whereabouts at certain times in the past.

If such issue will arise in the Philippines, I think that many cellphone users would rally in the streets to advocate their right to privacy. I don’t think that any person likes to have his location and movements tracked by another (most especially married guys being tracked by their wives :p)

Indeed, cellphones and cellphone records can be useful for police officers who need to track the movements of those they believe to be breaking the law. And it is important for them to have the tools they need to stop crimes. However, it is just as important to make sure such tools are used responsibly, in a manner that safeguards our personal privacy.

- Glaisa PO
(entry no. 14)

1 comment:

Owen Ricalde said...

im not sure about the content of the patriot act but basically, kung possible terrorist, they can and will track you through your cellphone. sana nga hindi ito mangyari. pero inisip ko, yung hardcore terrorists like abu sayyaf diba, why don't the phil govt use this. malaking ginhawa cguro ito.