Big Brother Is Here Via Cell Phones

If you questioned it before, CNET’s article [via 21Talks] on how the FBI used a remotely- switched on cell phone microphone to listen to conversations “surrounding” a US gangster should make you think otherwise. And US District Judge Lewis Kaplan defended this use because of the broadness of the federal wiretapping law.

Ever the pooh-disturber that I am, here’s some food for thought. When I worked for a search engine company many moons ago, one of the VP’s, who had friends in the telecom biz, told me that microphone in a normal house phone’s handset was not disable just because the set was on the phone plunger. Doubtful, but curious, when I worked at a big telecom company a few years later, I asked someone who was in the know. Their response was completely unusual, amounting to them not answering and walking away. No denial, just no response.

Then again, Little Brother (the citizen journalist collective) is also watching, ready to post indiscretions to blogs.