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August 14, 2008

Police use of GPS tracking devices sparks privacy debate

Police use of GPS tracking devices sparks privacy debate

According to an article The Washington Post ran yesterday, the Heat is increasingly relying on GPS tracking devices to snare bad guys. Sure, we've all come to love GPS, but law enforcement has two very special reasons for embracing the technology: it's cheap (and getting cheaper) and doesn't require those every-so-pesky warrants or court orders.

The article gives some nice examples of how GPS has helped cops save us from sexual predators and killers, and how the cost of GPS tracking equipment has plummeted in recent years, giving even small police departments access to the high tech gear.

Not surprisingly, the ACLU says GPS monitoring is creating an "always-on, surveillance society." Police, on the other hand, argue that GPS tracking is little more than a modern twist on the good old-fashioned stakeout, and is providing a valuable service that helps them put bad guys behind bars. The full article can be read HERE.

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