Ask Slashdot: How To Determine If One Is On a Watchlist? 400
An anonymous reader writes: On Slashdot, we joke about it all the time: 'I did a Google search for 'pressure cooker' and I connected a bunch of times to the Tor network to download some Linux distribution .torrent files... I must be on some sort of watchlist now.' There have been news articles about people being questioned in airports and given special attention for being political activists. How can one determine is one is on a watchlist of some sort? Are there any Slashdot users who are knowingly on a watchlist? What sort of suspicious special attention have you received?
Board a plane? (Score:5, Insightful)
Board a plane for a domestic or international flight, and you will definitely find out.
Don't even need to board it ... (Score:5, Informative)
The sign is when they won't let you check-in online.
My neighbor's kid has the same name as an IRA terrorist ... so they had to go through loads of crap every time, to explain that he's 3 ... he might be a terror, but he's not a terrorist.
I don't know if they still have problems flying with him or not. (He's now in high school)
This is part of the reason why the 'there are only (x) number of people on the terrorist watchlist' is problematic -- you have (x) people with (y) permutations of their aliases which means (z) people are stopped every time ... except for the people who we deem *so* dangerous that we don't want them to find out they're being watch ... so they're allowed to fly.
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I used to have this problem as well. It disappeared when I started traveling with my middle initial. And for any airline/website that doesn't have a field for the middle initial, just append it to the first name, since that's what the ticketing system does internally anyway. Problem solved.
Re:Don't even need to board it ... (Score:5, Interesting)
Happened to me once... Was heading to Vermont to pick up my daughter from college. For various reasons, it was easier to split it up into two one-way flights (mostly to guarantee adjoining seats on the return flight).
Anyways, I couldn't check in online. I go to the counter to check in, and was asked a bunch of leading questions ("You're going to Logan, right?" "No, Burlington Vermont!") over and over. Eventually I checked in.
While waiting for the gate, I realized... I hit all the flags... Male, travelling alone, no bags, one way.... DING DING DING DING!!
Deciding between Adolf and Osama for our neborn... (Score:2)
Maybe parents should think about this *before* they give their child a name.
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Re:Don't even need to board it ... (Score:5, Insightful)
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I'm a frequent flier, and the extended search happens regardless of watchlists. I get it randomly about every 30 flights - 2-3 times a year. It's a bit annoying as it takes me out of the priority line, but the extra search is not really that extensive - a palm check for chemicals and a few extra questions.
Granted, frequent fliers know how to expedite these things: look bored, tired, and very slightly annoyed. Have everything exactly in order. Fly carry-on. Have your FF badge visible and be part of TSA
have a friend who works at a bank or airline (Score:4, Interesting)
My name came up as similar to a listed person when I opened a bank account. A banker friend may be able to run your name.
I also got more attention from the TSA, but that may be because I used the same bag for a carry-on that I had previously used to go to the gun range, leaving a bit of powder residue all over the bag.
I assume I'm on a few lists because I work in internet security, meaning I frequent web sites related to hacking and such, plus I (legally) work with fireworks, so I order chemicals and such that could be used to make explosives. Lastly, I'm a conservative who once checked out a Tea Party event, so the current administration is definitely notices that. The IRS started calling after I followed a tea party page on Facebook. Might be coincidence.
Re:have a friend who works at a bank or airline (Score:4, Insightful)
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How To Determine If One Is On a Watchlist?
Measure the thickness of their tin hat.
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Sikhs wear turbans, not Muslims
Comment removed (Score:4, Interesting)
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Re:Board a plane? (Score:4, Informative)
Sikhs are the good guys. I want to see several of them on a plane. I feel safer anywhere when they're around.
Uh, Canada's largest act of terrorism was committed by Sikh terrorists. Blew up a plane no less.
Re:Board a plane? (Score:4, Insightful)
and a TSA agent is going to know the difference?
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Sikhs wear turbans, not Muslims
Well duh! Of course Sikhs don't wear Muslims.
All of us (Score:2, Insightful)
We are all on a watchlist because the US government deems itself to be above the law.
Re:All of us (Score:5, Interesting)
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Exactly the types, in other words, attracted by the tedious stability of working for the government (except the military).
The uniformed kind are even worse, for those jobs provide an occasional right to order other people around — which is especially attractive to assholes, whose most glorious days peaked in highschool.
Next time somebody wonders, why the silly Americans resent their government so m [prisonplanet.com]
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Citations?
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But yes...you and I are probably on some 3rd level 'list', by virtue of having knowledge of how and where.
BTW...happy belated Veterans Day.
First Rule About Watchlists (Score:5, Insightful)
Don't ask if you're on the watch list. If you weren't before, you are now.
Alternatively: Realize that everyone is on a watch list and nothing will happen to you unless you stir up some shit. If you're a journalist investigating this shit your life will be hard. If you're a nerd who likes to Google a lot of shit and post about how you hate the government they'll just laugh at you.
Re:First Rule About Watchlists (Score:5, Insightful)
Don't ask if you're on the watch list. If you weren't before, you are now.
Alternatively: Realize that everyone is on a watch list and nothing will happen to you unless you stir up some shit. If you're a journalist investigating this shit your life will be hard. If you're a nerd who likes to Google a lot of shit and post about how you hate the government they'll just laugh at you.
The US is not a free country. As much as I think it is good to try and restore our freedoms, I think people need to stop and think before asking too many questions. Most of us have families and careers or want to have... this isn't the 1960s when you could protest the government and assume that the FBI record keeping was so bad that in a few years nobody gave a shit. Once you get on a watch list for being uppity in the 20 teens you are fucked for life. So unless you want to make a career of being against the man and holding up a cardboard sign as the world actually is ending around you, then you should work towards policy changes with polite suggestions made through your elected representatives or actually staying below the radar and becoming part of government and not annoying public officials who may abuse their power over you just because they can.
Re:First Rule About Watchlists (Score:4, Insightful)
It was never a free country, not for everyone. The reason we're hearing all about "losing our freedoms" is that now it's finally happening to white people who have money.
When it was just the blacks, or the Indians or the Jews or the Japanese, or whomever, then it was "What a free country we are! And freedom isn't free, y'all."
But now that Biff Biffington has concerns about back doors in his crypto, it's "HOLY SHIT THIS AIN'T RIGHT!" Well, welcome to the party.
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That's just incorrect. There is plenty of evidence, shown in study after study, that shows there is a disparity in sentencing between white people and various ethnic and racial groups.
http://www.sentencingproject.o... [sentencingproject.org]
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB... [wsj.com]
http://www.theguardian.com/law... [theguardian.com]
https://www.law.upenn.edu/live... [upenn.edu]
https:/ [aclu.org]
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Unfortunately that's how it works - "these pictures of Benjamin in green politely suggest you push for a change in policy".
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What's "American" and "un-American" has changed a lot over the years.
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We (Americans) have "politely" asked our various congress critters to do a lot of things over the years, only to be ignored once they are elected. Oh they have a lot of symbolic (meaningless) votes on stuff that doesn't get passed, or do the whole "I voted for it before I voted against it" two step.
My suggestion is stop voting for the same two animals running the farmhouse.
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How about using the metric system?
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Oh wow. What bullshit.
You have the direction wrong. Corporations control the government. That's why it seems like what you say is true. People that work for multinational corporations are up to their neck in corporate agendas. They take the philosophy of corporate life to heart even when they don't know it. The biggest problem we have in the US is that corporations control what we debate in the public square to a very large extent. They are the ones controlling the flow of information to the Joe Sixp
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nothing will happen to you unless you stir up some shit
If you are being denied access to transportation, something already happened to you.
Re: First Rule About Watchlists (Score:4, Funny)
You're funny.
You know what you get if you take a Nazi and cut off their balls?
An Occupy protestor.
You really have to take into consideration Hitler was played like a stratvarius just like our current political theater running around playing world cop digging a deeper deficit which indicates a very skilled organization potentially doing this for thousands of years which indicates first world government. Hitler was born of a devout Catholic Austrian woman and sponsored by Mussolini. Note the fall of the Nights Templar and rise of Mafia around the same time frame. Two distinct parts of history aligned both the banksters and them against the US. Declaration of Independence, formation of Illuminati and being instrumental in taking down Hitler. Proof is in the pudding.
Attend a 2600 meeting or go to HOPE? (Score:5, Informative)
Back in the late 1980's going to the 2600 meetings in NYC got you automatically photographed by the FBI. These days, attend a conference such as HOPE or DefCon, and I guarantee you're on a watchlist.
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Ill just leave this here.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]
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I'll see your relatively peaceful protests and raise you with armed revolt
http://jpfo.org/filegen-a-m/at... [jpfo.org]
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I've been watching.... (Score:5, Funny)
I've had you on my watchlist for the last few months because your apartment is across the road from mine and you don't close your bedroom curtains at night. In case it matters, you're in the 10:25-10:35 time slot.
Go easy on the Adderall prescription... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Go easy on the Adderall prescription... (Score:5, Insightful)
In fairness, there is no standard of evidence to be put on these lists. Damned near anybody in law enforcement can put someone on a list, just because they feel like it or have a hunch, or because they don't like you.
And then you're on a list managed by idiots who have no real idea why you're on the list. Then the idiocy becomes self-fulfilling, because if you're on the list, it must be for a reason.
If you are on a list, there is a very good chance the people who maintain that list have no idea why. Which means without evidence, documentation, or recourse your life can get somewhat screwed up, and the idiots who maintain the list don't know or care how you got there; which means there's not a damned thing you can do to fix it.
Really, as long as it's so trivial to put people on the list, there's probably tons of people who are there for no reason at all.
This whole bullshit notion of you have nothing to fear if you have nothing to hide is just that ... bullshit. If using Tor is enough to get you on a watchlist, the people who run those lists are idiots, and ignoring things like evidence and probable cause.
Fascists just love things like that.
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Resources are getting cheaper and easier, which means we can have more people on the list than ever before. I mean if K-Mart can send a direct advertisement to a girl who they think might be pregnant because of buying patterns they noticed, then all that big data the government collects can be used to spot "dangerous" trends.
I told the government "Fuck off" on a census form because I didn't want to tell them all the details of my life. They threatened me with jail and a fine, and I said "Great, I plead the
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What the hell does the census have to do with the Fifth Amendment? The Fifth Amendment regards self incrimination *for a crime*. The census is part of the Constitution.
Sorry, but we cannot tell you that (Score:2)
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BTW, having a wireless password of password is just asking for it.
Hello? When it says 'enter password' it won't work if you've changed it from "password" will it? You'd have to re-program it to say 'enter pX?#@V32L9=)4!*7!$%!Ka&%M3zPk82' or whatever clever and unbreakable new word you decide on.
Easy as pie (Score:2)
My phone did auto-restart though (which it has never done in the 2 years I've had it, no updates either...) after that I only got 3g, and crappy reception in my apartment.
I was like for someone in IT, couldn't you afford a 4G stingray?
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Are you alive? You are on a watchlist. (Score:5, Interesting)
Do you use the internet? You are on a watchlist. The more interesting question would be which ones, and of course most of us have no way to know.
I spend a lot of time reading and commenting on current events on another site, and I like to back up my comments with citations, so this leads me to Google all sorts of things. Offhand today I've searched for feces swastika (re: the U of Missouri stuff) and officers shot or killed (a story about one officer shooting another off-duty officer). Last night I was reading a thread about the Mazda RDX and so I Googled RDX; RDX is also the name of a military explosive. Around that time I was also searching for various terms related to the Missouri protests.
Some overzealous algorithm might see a person searching for RDX and Mizzou and officer and shooting all within close proximity, and get me on a list I really would rather not be on. That's one of the big problems with automated bulk surveillance, I imagine it's connecting a lot of dots that truly aren't connected.
See you on the list!
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>> Do you use the internet? You are on a watchlist.
That would be cool, because if literally everyone is on it the list would be totally useless. It is actually in the black chopper guys best interest to keep their watch lists as short as possible too. Whether they also think that is of course a whole other question.
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because if literally everyone is on it the list would be totally useless.
Only if it's an unordered list. You could have a list of (nearly) every person in the USA, but if it's ordered by some sort of threat metric as long as you're not in the first couple million or so entries you shouldn't have a problem.
That being said, that's actually the problem that the NSA has been having. Sure, they grab huge amounts of data, but only the tiniest fraction receives more than cursory automatic analysis, and only a tiny fraction of that is actually looked at by a human.
In short, they spend
Easy (Score:2)
They'll tell you when they come for you.
In My Case ... (Score:5, Interesting)
In my particular case, I first learned I was on a terrorist watch list in 2004, when I renewed my drivers' license.
The lady at DMV informed me of it, and said there would be an additional three-week wait for my license while they did a background check on me.
Ever since, every time I've flown, I've been pulled aside for additional searches and questioning,
The fun part is that there's no way to get off the list. I've now have three Congressman and a Senator from two different States tell me this.
The really infuriating part is that I suffer from an anxiety disorder. The only danger to those around me is if I go off my meds and then fly to pieces so fast people get hit by the shrapnel.
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>> The only danger to those around me is if I go off my meds
Maybe thats why you're on a watchlist :-)
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In my case, I am quite certain that I am not (or was not last year). I flew with my wife and daughter to Seattle (domestic). Both on the way there and the way back, my wife and I were "randomly" selected for the pre-check line (less intrusive scanning). Bizarrely, my daughter, who was travelling with us on the same booking, was not selected for pre-check for either flight.
We did see the ai
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Downloading through TOR (Score:5, Insightful)
Why were you downloading torrents through the TOR network? Its pointless and clogs exit nodes.
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Why were you downloading torrents through the TOR network? Its pointless and clogs exit nodes.
Now *that* is a good reason to put someone on a watch list!
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Why were you downloading torrents through the TOR network? Its pointless and clogs exit nodes.
Now *that* is a good reason to put someone on a watch list!
That's what I was thinking. What would be the motivation for hiding a Linux download?
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Are you honesty suggesting people should only use Tor when they're doing something shady? Because that would be stupid.
See, things like encryption, the goal is to use it all the time, and deny anybody the ability to differentiate when you're doing something you feel needs some extra security.
It is legal to use Tor, as such, there is no reason why you wouldn't use it for everything just to send a big "fuck you" to the people who want to snoop on you. That the people who spy on you would prefer you didn't u
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Like I said putting torrent traffic through TOR only clogs the exit nodes.
Reading Slashdot? Don't worry. (Score:5, Informative)
You are already on a watch list. Somewhere.
After all, most NSA people are geeks, and so they read Slashdot. To the point they did a MITM using a fake Slashdot page. [techdirt.com]
Oh, and by the way: hi NSA!
A more serious reply is this one: they don't want you to know you are on a watch list. If you represent a serious target, they REALLY don't want you to know. On the other hand, if you have any reason to suspect you are a serious target, assume the worst and unplug now.
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A more serious reply is this one: they don't want you to know you are on a watch list. If you represent a serious target, they REALLY don't want you to know. On the other hand, if you have any reason to suspect you are a serious target, assume the worst and unplug now.
Why would anyone tip their hand and let them know you know? This is the kind of advice meted out by amateurs and NSA shills.
Oh, and by the way: hi NSA!
Figures... wave to your pals.
After all, most NSA people are geeks, and so they read Slashdot.
You would know.
Get a government job... (Score:4, Interesting)
Are YOU on a watchlist (Score:2)
Of course not, citizen. Thank you for asking. Could you step this way for a moment, please?
This was before watch lists, but... (Score:2)
Back in '97, my roommate and I went over to Vietnam. She's from there and we went over to visit some friends--purely tourist stuff. While I was there, I visited the Cu Chi tunnels and picked up a Vietnamese Officer's cap from the gift shop--My "Commie Hat," as I call it. I brought it with me on the flight back and was wearing it when I got to the airport in the US.
So I get off the plane and I stop and look at the big sign they have discussing th
this One Weird Trick gets you on a Watchlist (Score:3)
Two simple steps (Score:2)
1. Make a FOIA request with your name and possibly other identifying information
2. Congratulations! You are now on a watchlist
What's the differance? (Score:2)
At this point, what difference does it make?
If you are on a list, you are on it. You won't know one way or another until some authority who uses the list when dealing with you, and even then you may not know. Apart from actually doing something illegal, chances are you will never be on a list beyond the IRS's.
IMHO - I'm just guessing here, but I seriously doubt that you have caught the attention of *anybody* compiling lists of people to watch compiled by the government if your identity wasn't already sus
Your government is afraid of you. (Score:2)
Very easy if you fly, 3 letter code on ticket (Score:2)
If you get a plane ticket and it's has the 3 letter code SSSS
then you are on list to be pulled aside for special screening.
But this watchlist is kinda arbitrary. got a couple cousins that work for TSA, of course it's easy to infiltrate TSA as they hire anyone when there's openings. Even highschool dropouts work for TSA minimum wage.
Anyhow they've fucked with assholes before by tossing them in the list so any future plane tickets they ever purchase will be tagged SSSS
SSSS = the new "SS" hehe
but yea you see t
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Re:Very easy if you fly, 3 letter code on ticket (Score:5, Funny)
"it's has the 3 letter code SSSS"
I'm going to be a little skeptical of anything written by someone who can neither spell nor count to 4.
After all these years of Slashdot's misleading headline and trolling torture I honestly thought I could see 5 S's on my boarding pass.
Should be obvious (Score:2)
Pressure Cooker + Ina Garten = cool
Pressure Cooker + ISIS = no fly
Pressure Cooker + Anthony Bordain = check for drugs
Apply for security clearance or gov permits (Score:4, Informative)
Look into getting a police check or certificate for local work.
That would induce paperwork see if a person has been placed on a basic, direct national not trusted list.
The "political activists" can face a very passive surveillance just to see who a person talks to, walks with, sends emails, letters, phones, spends hours with.. IM lists, IRC, web 2.0, international VOIP, IM with a person not added to a friends list or not shared with a common third persons IM list, any contact with 1950-80's activists or their work.
A lot of advanced "charity" and "corporate" network tracking is often shared with or sold to gov, mil to see what political connections people make.
If you are a journalist, press, media expect gov backed malware crafted just for your computers, cell phone. No consumer grade protection will have any record of it and view it as normal OS like functionality. Traces of such efforts can point to gov interest in a person.
What are most Western governments looking for at this time is passive collect it all databases that show hops, links, connections, people talking politics, crypto.
Build up too much of an online reputation and have the ability to sway, protect or publish mil or gov whistleblowers material is really when the gov and mil take note.
Crypto and advance maths skills? Creating open source projects with advanced crypto skills passed on from advance university learning that was for placement for mil or gov jobs. Changing from closed source well paid private sector skills to open source crypto.. that will get a lot of gov attention and for anyone in the same project forum, IRC chats, code site.
What books a person buys online on what topics. Years of bulk non fiction can show a person deep in thought about political issues. Some more nonfiction book orders can help with that list..
Basically a person is waiting for enough of a gov database to move form a person of interest to active protest group or political group creation.
Another tracking point is *who* is reading your work, code, looking for you online. If workers with security clearances are been tracked looking up your blog, your work as a journalist, chatroom, code project, as an author...in own time, at home.. your work is an issue for a gov or mil.
University presentations on open, public papers surrounding crypto, gov, mil whistleblowers material even if your nation has freedom of the press, freedom after and of speech.
'How Covert Agents Infiltrate The Internet To Manipulate, Deceive, And Destroy Reputations" (Feb. 25 2014) https://theintercept.com/2014/... [theintercept.com]
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Watch list protocol for the FBI, CIA and NSA (Score:2, Informative)
First, if you're a US citizen or Green Card Holder, or applying for a Green Card or citizenship you're on a passive watch list by the FBI.
This is a thought of as a protective service, an insurance policy provided by the government by investing in you, as a citizen to be a part of this country, and by you choosing to be a part of this country.
What this passive watch list means is - first and foremost - if you show extreme pattern disruptions and interruptions in your behaviors which can be detrimental to you
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The part about "All three intelligence services sent the names of Americans to the... " shows the historic domestic and global US list making.
also see Project MINARET
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]
"Secret Cold War Documents Reveal NSA Spied on Senators" (SEPTEMBER 25, 2013)
http://foreignpolicy.com/2013/... [foreignpolicy.com]
NSA hotline on +49 174 276 6483 (Score:2)
I know i am on one (Score:2)
Every time i fly i am subject to the "random" bag search.
Just Assume That You Are (Score:2)
Additional ID Check (Score:2)
I was on a list. I don't know what list. Or why. Or how I got added. Or how I (eventually) got removed (I think the latter has something to do with a review process that my senator's staff helped initiate.)
For me it took the form of an additional ID check. When flying, I was not permitted to print boarding passes in advance or check in at a kiosk in the airport - I received a non-specific error message if I tried either of those things and was told to check in with an agent. Then, when I would check i
Call the NSA... (Score:2)
if they want to watch me (Score:2)
watchlists? (Score:2)
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Do helicopters count as drones?
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Only if black.
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All helicopters matter!
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You don't even have to pick the phone up anymore. The average person has no fewer than 4 recording devices (two with video) within 6' of him while he's at home, and 0 true "off" buttons.
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You can't even yank the batteries anymore... There's even malware out there that will make you *THINK* you're turning the phone off and back on using the menu/'power switch', but actually keep the phone on keep recording. Heck, it might be a signal to *increase* recording.
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I wouldn't think it would take a lot of effort to mod in a physical on off switch from the battery. Assuming you can get the case open.
Modding in an off switch (Score:2)
Getting the case open is the big first one, as you say, that's easier said than done. After that, you need to put a switch into a case that was designed to be as small and slim as possible with no mind paid to allowing said switch. Though I suppose you could put in a magnetic switch or something.
In short, a major project. Unlikely to be done by any but the most dedicated, in which case it's quicker/easier to simply do what the military does - dump all the cell phones and such OUTSIDE.
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If its important to you and that seems too much trouble get a phone that you can still do a battery pull.
Also good because then you can swap battery's and not worry about charging your phone.
Someday people will be able to 3d print their own custom cases. And a new battery door for the tv remote.... Till then I suppose a dremel will have to do.
If you wanted to do this at any scale you could get custom made ribbon cables put a switch on the side of the phone. If it were me id rip off the volume buttons and pu
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Oh, and they are tracking your cell phones. Always.
And, yes, your xBox One and PS are spying on you, as well as Windows 10.
Well luckily I don't have an Xbox One, PS, or Windows 10. What kind of idiot would willingly use any of those?
The cellphone one isn't so easy to avoid however; it's pretty hard to get along in today's society without one. But if you're going to do anything you're not supposed to, it is easy enough to just leave the phone at home that day.
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Yes, but not one that you can access or prove that you're on. When I got put on a list that required additional ID checks every time I checked in for a flight there was no way to verify officially that I was on the list or determine what list I was on or challenge my inclusion on the list.
Even the aide from my U.S. Senator's staff (I live in a small state and our elected officials usually try to be helpful with constituents' complaints) who was assigned to
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The problem is the rapid expansion of staff with list addition access. Political waivers for cleared staff getting social advancement to make hiring statistics look better, state level random additions, party political reasons. The people cleared to create a list, add to a list or make the deci