Supreme Court restricts use of geofence warrants

https://www.npr.org/2026/06/29/nx-s1-5844697/supreme-court-restricts-use-of-geofence-warrants

by CharlesW • 23 days ago

27 9 23 days ago

This data sure would have helped identify who stole >$1,000 worth of copper wiring from my company in a very difficult hillside area where few would have had any business in that area, late at night. Of course the crooks would have had to have android cellphones switched on and on their persons.

Perhaps this will lead to private security firms having devices similar to "stingers' (cell-site simulator or IMSI catcher) on site at high risk construction sites to gather data 24/7, the data only to be given to police in case of a crime.

iamnothere2• 23 days ago

Private security is not a constitutional problem. If you want to sniff the spectrum near your business, that’s just fine. The only problem comes when private networked surveillance grows to a scale (like Flock) where it’s an unregulated dragnet ripe for abuse, selling access to the government or nefarious private actors.

I am very much for small scale, non-networked, private surveillance. NVRs are a great way to have peace of mind without sacrificing your privacy. Your private IMSI catcher idea is also fine. (Just be aware that many cops probably won’t do anything unless it’s like six figures or more in losses, they often won’t even track down stolen cars with trackers on them.)

armchairhacker• 23 days ago

Is $1,000 worth the privacy implications (even knowing the NSA has the data, local cops don’t)?

You can lock your site, but unsuspecting people must avoid public areas to avoid this type of warrant.

iamnothere2• 23 days ago

Great news! Lots of small wins lately, people who care about privacy should feel encouraged and energized. Victory isn’t impossible. Keep pushing for the big wins.

smalltorch• 23 days ago

This is good and begs the question; why can the police make broad searches on flock systems right now on anybody who may have been in the vicinity of a crime that took place without warrants?

It's the same thing

Schiendelman• 23 days ago

Because Flock is allowed to gather the data; private companies contract with Flock and allow governments to also contract with Flock and access their data.

It'll be hard to unring that bell. It's not clear to me what you'd regulate.

axus• 23 days ago

"... the Court carefully set the stage for its planned performance: striking a pose as a great champion of privacy in the digital age. I cannot support this irresponsible escapade".

Justices Alito and Thomas finding personal liberty "irresponsible", classic.

FireBeyond• 23 days ago

Well, Clarence was also out there today saying that an allegation of fraud is material wrongdoing that should allow someone to be dismissed from their job.

(Not him from his, though...)

ChrisArchitect• 23 days ago

Some more discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48720924

Supreme Court restricts use of geofence warrants

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