Nowhere To Hide
Location tracking technology is assisting law enforcement officials in their campaign against crime. As this occurs, issues about how and when it is correct for law enforcement agencies to employ these tools will probably come up.
GPS devices, for example, had been used by law enforcement to follow assets and resources, and are now being employed to track individuals. As such, there is divided opinion as to whether using such devices in this manner is a violation of privacy.
Third-generation (3G) location technology will also probably become a law enforcement tool. In its mature state, this technology will include improved multimedia capabilities–voice, data, video, and remote control–and the ability to use it in every mode, including cell phone, email, and Web browsing.
The Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) mandates carriers to install electronic interception capabilities in their networks to present law enforcement with wiretaps and data concerning calls from cell phones and other mobile devices.
Once again, an individual’s privacy could be at risk, although law enforcement agencies that wish to use wiretaps must obtain a court order as decreed by the 1999 Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from Government Technology (06/04/04) Vol. 17, No. 6, P. 6; McKay, Jim .
