Comments on: U.S. Government can track cellphones without carrier co-operation

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:20:48 +0000

With ‘extraordinary rendition’ as a weapon of the war on TERROR it’s not vey comforting to know the government can LOCATE it’s targets by illegally (PATRIOT Act) coaxing information out of their targets cell phone, kidnap and export for torture so easily. “Admissable in a court of law” is only a concern when you’re concerned about following the law and going to court and the current administration proves time and again they don’t bother with such niceties unless they can get what they want.

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:56:33 +0000

I expect this Triggerfish technology can only be used when in close proximity to the target phone. Possibly the “good guys” just want the EMEI/PIN of a “bad” guy so they know the target device when asking for warrants?

If Triggerfish was deployed over a broad area, (would require a lot of RF power) the potential for denying the public to place an emergency call is too great and would leave the “good” guys open to lawsuits.

My .02 worth

By: DavidB

DavidB — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:36:47 +0000

@Terry:
Google Signal Location Utilities.

By: DavidB

DavidB — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:35:31 +0000

This story is libertarian hoopla. Who cares? Through many very simple police methods my general vicinty can be found and a triggerfish deployed to dupe my phone, big deal. They still need a warrant to tap voice or data (if they want it admissible in court).

By: Terry

Terry — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:19:03 +0000

I wonder if there is a way to write and app to tell you the tower you are connected too. I’m sure the “fake tower” has some sort of signature associated with it.