Category: Let's talk
Recently a man was arrested in italy in connection with the failed bombings in London on july 21st. During a press conference, police confirmed that they had arrested the man having tracked him to italy using his mobile phone signal. Now as much as I think all this technology is marvellous, isn’t it all a bit scary how easily we can be traced these days? After all, if you have a mobile phone and keep it switched on, then the police can pretty much track you wherever you are. Having said that, maybe the police shouldn’t have confirmed that info? After all, now all people will have to do is to ditch their current mobile phone, nip into a mobile phone shop on the high street, and buy a new one, pay as you talk – totally untraceable. So any thoughts? Do we live in a big brother society? And is that a good or a bad thing.
If you're an average Joe, or Jane, who is, for the most part, a law-abiding citizen, then you don't have to worry. However, if you aren't, then I think the authorities should use whatever means to track you down. Technology such as this could be used in a positive way (i.e., locating a missing person or stolen property). I'm not thrilled by the idea that Big Brother, Uncle Sam or cousin Billy-Bob can monitor my every move so closely, but I don't plan on becoming part of a terrorist group either, so I don't think I have too much to worry about.
Agreed, though I disagree with police and the like making it public knowledge how they use such information and for what means. That's ridiculous.
actually i find it strange that the guy was so amaturish. it is farely common knowledge that the security services have these sorts of powers. i'm very surprised therefore that he would have chosen to use his own mobile phone instead of a pay as you go phone which he easily could have discarded after he had finished using it!
i agree though that the police shouldn't have made how they caught this man public information. essentually he was undone by his own stupidity. announcing that to all in sundry will just make it less likely that people like him will make the same mistakes next time! not clever!
I agree, claire. As good as the electronic things are, there are so many disadvantages.
Oh I don't know about that, Harp. There are lots of dumb people out there who won't learn from others' mistakes.
Claire, I'm not sure this is so much an issue for our american friends, as I think they have to carry some kind of identity card anyway. so, being tracked or traced is something that they must be used to at least in a small way.
Well if you got nothing to hide then why worry. The police can track anybody down even to the road you are in by the use of a mobile phone. I know my father has called the local police wstation before now to confirm an address because of his job, and they have confirmed his location. Any phone can be tracked, they give off a signal similar to that of an IP address. Even pay as you go phones give off the same signal. The moment you switch the phone on you are traceable. I see nothing wrong with that.
Harp, no inteligent terrorist has attacked the UK hense the low casualty figure. The technology which enables the police to track mobile phone signals is common knowledge really so they should have already known about it. It may though have been better if the police kept the technology secret and it wasn't public knowledge. I don't feel like I'm in a big brother state. If the terrorists were in power though it may feel like that with technology been used against us wonderful infidels, but since they aren't it will only be used where appropriate so I've nothing to fear.
It's almost impossible to move around without being traced, just think about it, for money you either need to visit a bank or use a credit card. Those purchases can be traced obviously. You need money to get around using public transportation, especially as far as flights and international transportation is concenred, I don't know if you require picture IDs when boarding flights e.g. in Europe, in the U.S. you do. Then the mobile phones can be tracked obviously and it only takes one stupid person to unravel the whole net if that person calls the co conspirator numbers since all that can be tracked. Internet can be tracked. If you go to Google now you can get satellite maps and pictures that are so accurate you can find your own houses on there. My friends in Iceland found a picture of my house and my neighbourhood on there just by zip code. I'm sure satellites can be used for automatic surveillance, same with unmanned vehicles, microphones etc. In order to avoid all thiis you must prepare very carefully and set up indenepdent network of comunication that does not rely on modern technology, that's what Al Qaeda have done quite successfully, money laundring etc.
I don't mind this as long as the system is not abused.
cheers
-B