American student finds GPS tracker stuck to car, FBI reclaims its 'federal property'

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Train

Lifer
Jun 22, 2000
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www.bing.com
What if they bug your phone? Internet? Conversations? Track everything you do and create a personal profile?

Those require a warrant. Meaning the FBI has to convince a federal judge that they have probably cause or some sort of evidence on you already.
 
Sep 12, 2004
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Does anyone actually have any proof that the FBI, or any other government agency for that matter, is randomly placing tracking devices on someone's car just for the hell of it? If so, let's see it. If not, all this 'OMG! teh gubment is tryin ta spy on U.' is just as stupid as the fool claiming terrorists are behind every corner just waiting to kill you. It's idiotic, paranoid FUD either way.
 

highland145

Lifer
Oct 12, 2009
43,911
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Does anyone actually have any proof that the FBI, or any other government agency for that matter, is randomly placing tracking devices on someone's car just for the hell of it? If so, let's see it. If not, all this 'OMG! teh gubment is tryin ta spy on U.' is just as stupid as the fool claiming terrorists are behind every corner just waiting to kill you. It's idiotic, paranoid FUD either way.
http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=37860
But that was the Ninth.
 

GundamW

Golden Member
Feb 3, 2000
1,440
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Those require a warrant. Meaning the FBI has to convince a federal judge that they have probably cause or some sort of evidence on you already.

Wasn't there a law that said if it's a "National Security" matter, it can by-pass the court or something like that? Or did I just watch too much TV/movie and had my reality mixed up?
 

Train

Lifer
Jun 22, 2000
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Wasn't there a law that said if it's a "National Security" matter, it can by-pass the court or something like that? Or did I just watch too much TV/movie and had my reality messed up?

I think the loophole was international wire tapping. If you are calling Iran, a warrant is not required to tap it.

But back to the GPS issue, I dont see how it is breaking the 4th ammendmant, I mean, if the police are legally allowed to follow you on foot or in their cars, why not with a GPS? Same principal just with better technology.
 

arrfep

Platinum Member
Sep 7, 2006
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If I found that I would have left it on my car, then went on a giant, months-long road trip across the country, with the GPS waypoints spelling out a giant "FUCK YOU."
 

iGas

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2009
6,240
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What would be the outcome if you remove that device from your car and put it into someone suitcase for international flights?

America the land of the <strike>Free</strike>.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
64,138
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What would be the outcome if you remove that device from your car and put it into someone suitcase for international flights?

America the land of the <strike>Free</strike>.

Or a quick trip to FedEx for a shipment to China...


I have to believe that the feds had some reason to be highly suspicious of this guy for them to go through this kind of surveillance. I seriously doubt they'd spend this kind of money tracking someone just because he's Egyptian...
 

slayer202

Lifer
Nov 27, 2005
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Afifi got in his car and drove off, only to be pulled over by FBI agents who demanded the device back, threatening "We're going to make this much more difficult for you if you don't cooperate."

lol this reminds me so much of the wire. the camera, and even fuzzy dunlop
 

slag

Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
10,473
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What would be the outcome if you remove that device from your car and put it into someone suitcase for international flights?

America the land of the <strike>Free</strike>.


It would get flagged as a bomb.
 

pcgeek11

Lifer
Jun 12, 2005
21,620
4,675
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Not when they invoke the Patriot Act.

1. You find an unknown something attached to your car.
2. You remove it and it is not labeled.
3. You toss it break it or just dispose of it.
4. How can they hold you accountable for it?

No laws that I can think of. If you can quote a specific ( other than your opinion ) lets see a link.

I think there is a lot more to this than has been released to the public. What say you?
 

Nik

Lifer
Jun 5, 2006
16,101
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yea, hard to care until it happens to you. right, olds?

Who the hell cares? I wouldn't give a shit if the FBI tagged my car and watched where I went. I'm in public in my car and I don't give two craps who knows where I'm going or what I'm doing.

If they want to waste their money watching me drive to 7-Eleven and back on a beer run, freakin have at it.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
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1. You find an unknown something attached to your car.
2. You remove it and it is not labeled.
3. You toss it break it or just dispose of it.
4. How can they hold you accountable for it?

No laws that I can think of. If you can quote a specific ( other than your opinion ) lets see a link.

I think there is a lot more to this than has been released to the public. What say you?

DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE PATRIOT ACT?

I don't think you do.
 

theflyingpig

Banned
Mar 9, 2008
5,616
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It makes me sick to my stomach to think about the "new" America we live in.

Welcome to Obama's America! Nothing has changed. Instead of arrogant conservatives, you now have smug liberals in charge. America is slowly becoming a lost cause. Just look at Detroit.
 

foghorn67

Lifer
Jan 3, 2006
11,883
63
91
It sounds like the agents were pretty cordial about it, trying to make small talk and not acting like dicks.
 

erikistired

Diamond Member
Sep 27, 2000
9,739
0
0
1. You find an unknown something attached to your car.
2. You remove it and it is not labeled.
3. You toss it break it or just dispose of it.
4. How can they hold you accountable for it?

No laws that I can think of. If you can quote a specific ( other than your opinion ) lets see a link.

I think there is a lot more to this than has been released to the public. What say you?

you try it first and let us know how it goes.