enjoy
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Margaret Q margaretq@gmail.com Date: Jan 28, 2006 1:24 PM Subject: Re: MO's contract begins feb 1 in KC and St. Louis. To: David Nicol davidnicol@gmail.com
REALLY briefly 'cuz I'm swamped.
The state of MO has contracted with 2 engineering firms to track divers by cell phone.
All cellphones have tracking chips. In modern phones - there is a setting that allows you to disable the tracking device for all but 911 centers (which allows them to track emergency calls in case of instances where you cannot communicate addresses). You cannot disable the 911 tracker.
Starting Feb 1, the state of MO will use the SAME tracking channel/whatever its called to track ALL motorists. If you have a cell phone on - it is tracking you and entering your locations, times, speeds into a database. The database allows them to search for specific people's records of movement as well as general area traffic flows. The stated reason is to collect traffic flow information to build better roadways. And the state hopes to begin using it to issue traffic TICKETS by mail (hence all the personal info attached). You speed - they'll know.
The deal also lets the state have access to your cell phone records. (Which is actually amazingly easy to do. I could get your cell phone records if I knew JUST your name and social security number and carrier)
Missouri is the ONLY state to attempt this thus far. And it is not unlikely that this will end up in court quickly - but until then - the govt is tracking your movement.
At this time Kansas has no such plans.
The system is being tested in Kansas City and Missouri beginning feb 1. It will eventually be statewide.
This was discussed at length on KCUR on Monday. It is also a story we are considering covering for our news show.
Citizens of MO are STRONGLY encouraged to write Matt Blunt and the Dept of Transportation and let them know you are opposed to this use of technology and consider it invasive and an infringement on you right to privacy.
how this story slipped under everyone's radars (pun half intended) until now is AMAZING.
The point is that if your phone is ON - you are being tracked in these areas. Because the signal goes through cell towers - if the phone is turned OFF, the tracking device cannot transmit information. You cannot otherwise disable this.
Vehicles with ONSTAR in service will be tracked regardless. You cannot disable that short of cancelling OnStar service.
however - turnign off your phone also keeps emergency dispatchers from being able to track you in cases of emergency.
On 1/27/06, David Nicol davidnicol@gmail.com wrote:
why?
On 1/26/06, Margaret Q margaretq@gmail.com wrote:
Turn your cell phone off while driving through KCMO beginning Feb 1. Please be sure to remind your friends.
-- David L Nicol Joining Mensa means embracing the reality that at least 98 out of every hundred people are as stupid as you are.
-- David L Nicol "It is pointless to give advice and sometimes dangerous to take it." -- Gore Vidal