"Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, & from a deceitful tongue." Psalms 120:2
Law enforcement agencies are using a mysterious new tool to unlock the cellphones of criminal suspects and access their text messages, emails and voice messages. Some agencies around the country, concerned about security, are not even acknowledging use of the devices. Adding to the secrecy surrounding the new tool, one of the companies that makes and sells the devices to police and government agencies does not display their products on the company website.These are basically “hacking devices”, and it may take a number of hours, but they will eventually get into your cellphone.
Dave Langos, Director of the sheriff’s Criminal Intelligence Unit, said the unlocking of the phone can be critical to a criminal investigation, revealing where that phone has been and potentially placing a suspect at the scene of a crime.For those that are skeptical of how valuable this kind of tool can be for law enforcement, I would remind you that the “homeless vet” GoFundMe scammers were caught because of cellphone text messages that authorities were able to uncover.
“With the proper search warrant and so forth for the phone the information you retrieve from those is very valuable in solving cases and that has been proven over and over again,” Langos said.
DNA found on at least one of the packages, as well as Sayoc’s cell phone, helped investigators identify him, multiple law enforcement officials said. He was not previously known to the Secret Service, law enforcement sources said, but Florida records show a string of arrests dating back to the early 1990s.We live at a time when you should simply assume that nothing that you do online or while carrying your cellphone is ever private. Yes, there are measures that you can take to make your cellphone more private, but in the end authorities will find one way or another to get that information if they really want it.
A New Jersey appellate court has ruled that people must allow law enforcement officers access to their cellphones once they receive a warrant.Aren’t we supposed to have a Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination?
The ruling issued Thursday means Essex County Sheriff’s Officer Robert Andrews would have to hand over passcodes to two iPhones he gave investigators.
Here’s what I know: this Thanksgiving finds us saddled with a government that is a far cry from Washington’s vision of a government that is:Rather, with every passing day, the U.S. government more closely resembles an evil empire, governed by laws that are rash, unjust and unconstitutional; policed by government agents who are corrupt, hypocritical and abusive; a menace to its own people; and the antithesis of everything Washington hoped the government would be—a blessing to all the people.
- governed by wise, just and constitutional laws
- faithfully executed and obeyed by its agents
- assisting foreign nations with good government, peace, and concord
- promoting true religion, virtue and science
- and enabling temporal prosperity.