Court Rules GPS Tracking Legal For Law Officers

Via Engadget (which does a good job of explaining the case), an anonymous reader passed us a link to a GPS Tracking Systems Blog post. The site, which reports regularly on GPS-related news, has word that on-the-sly GPS tracking is legal for officers of the law. A 7th circuit court of appeals ok'd the use of a GPS device in apprehending a criminal. Though the defendant's lawyers argued on fourth amendment grounds, the judge found GPS tracking did not warrant an 'unlawful search and seizure'. The judge did warn against 'wholesale surveillance' of the population, though, so ... that's some comfort.

Re:It ok'd the WARRANTLESS use of GPS

[Namlak]

What's worse, would EZ-Pass or On*Star (I have neither system - I'd rather bleed to death at the side of the road after an accident than lose my privacy 100% of the time)

Apparently, you are not aware that On*Star can give restaurant recommendations in times of dire emergency or you'd have never made your comment.

Re:It ok'd the WARRANTLESS use of GPS

[b0s0z0ku]

Apparently, you are not aware that On*Star can give restaurant recommendations in times of dire emergency or you'd have never made your comment.

Has such a case occurred? (Restaurant recommendation instead of calling an ambulance.) Anyway, I suppose it all makes sense. You're bleeding to death. Therefore you have anemia. Nothing a good, bloody steak can't fix.

-b.

Re:It ok'd the WARRANTLESS use of GPS

[monopole]

Got a cell phone? Most have GPS incorporated due to the E911 requirements. De facto broad surveillance of the population. But they're all terrorists anyway.

Note to self...

[chaotixx]

Don't date any daughters of police officers!

Gas pump courtesy

[Anonymous Coward]

In addition to the windshield squeegee, gas stations could offer free and automatic bug detection embedded in the ground. Those who value their privacy would pump gas there "just in case" which would increase patronage. Capitalism has its ways.

Re:It ok'd the WARRANTLESS use of GPS

[Anonymous Coward]

My girlfriend has a GPS on her car without knowing. Ok, I'm the one who put the GPS on her car. Oh, and she doesn't know that she's my girlfriend.

Re:If I find the bug, can I keep it?

[Anonymous Coward]

If the police abandon their equipment by attaching it to my property does it become part of my property?

More importantly, if an officer shoots you, do you get to keep the bullet?

If they shoot you, and then ask for their ammunition back, that would just be cruel.

Re:It ok'd the WARRANTLESS use of GPS

[HomelessInLaJolla]

Nobody is going to shoot you in your sleep comrade. Once we know which brand of corn you buy we will work with your employer and your grocery store to adjust your income and the price carefully to bleed you dry just like any other nine volt battery.

Duh.

Re:It ok'd the WARRANTLESS use of GPS

[Bin Naden]

That's called stalking which IS illegal Unless you have a badge

Re:It ok'd the WARRANTLESS use of GPS

[c6gunner]

> Fact: If you notice it you will either be sent on a 5150 as "paranoid" This is a fact. I've proven it through personal experience at least three times.

'nuff said. If you're interested, I make professional mind-ray deflection devices using a nano-molecular weave of super-fine tinfoil fibres. For only $29.99 you too can be free of CIA mind control influence!