Here’s a disturbing decision from Wisconsin regarding the use of GPS tracking devices by the police. The judge said the police don’t even need a warrant!
Wisconsin police can attach GPS to cars to secretly track anybody’s movements without obtaining search warrants, an appeals court ruled Thursday.
However, the District 4 Court of Appeals said it was “more than a little troubled” by that conclusion and asked Wisconsin lawmakers to regulate GPS use to protect against abuse by police and private individuals.
As the law currently stands, the court said police can mount GPS on cars to track people without violating their constitutional rights — even if the drivers aren’t suspects.
Officers do not need to get warrants beforehand because GPS tracking does not involve a search or a seizure, Judge Paul Lundsten wrote for the unanimous three-judge panel based in Madison.
That means “police are seemingly free to secretly track anyone’s public movements with a GPS device,” he wrote.
One privacy advocate said the decision opened the door for greater government surveillance of citizens. Meanwhile, law enforcement officials called the decision a victory for public safety because tracking devices are an increasingly important tool in investigating criminal behavior.
This decision is ridiculous on its face and I suspect will eventually be overturned by the U.S Supreme Court. With this decision the police can track anyone at any time for any reason!
It only highlights how things are dramatically changing in today’s world. Using technology, you can follow people, listen in on their conversations and do all sorts of spying! It sounds like fun in a way, until someone does it to you.
I suspect the courts with be busy with this topic for years to come.
