Stop Using Cell Phones!!

[Varmit]

Boone County Sheriff's Department to receive new investigative device
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 | 6:06 p.m. CST

The Universal Forensics Extraction Device, or UFED, is manufactured by CelleBrite, a leading company in the transfer and backup of mobile content. The Mid-Missouri Internet Crimes Task Force will use the device to copy cell phone data that might be useful in its investigations.   ¦  Photo courtesy of CelleBrite BY Jonathan Stephanoff

COLUMBIA — The ability to peer deep into cellular phones and other mobile devices soon will become part of the Boone County Sheriff's Department investigatory arsenal.

The department will spend $3,999 on a gizmo that carries an extravagant name. The Universal Forensics Extraction Device, or UFED, is manufactured by CelleBrite, a leading company in the transfer and backup of mobile content. It also sells UFEDs to law enforcement agencies worldwide, according to CelleBrite's Web site.

The Boone County Commission approved the purchase Tuesday morning. The Mid-Missouri Internet Crimes Task Force will use the device to copy cell phone data — including phone numbers, contacts, pictures, videos, text messages, call logs and even some information the phone owner thinks has been deleted — that might be useful in its investigations.

The UFED is a "known device in forensics investigation tools," Detective Tracy Perkins of the task force said.

The Mid-Missouri Internet Crimes Task Force focuses much of its resources on child exploitation, serving Boone and the seven surrounding counties. Perkins said the device will be used by the task force lab in a wide variety of investigations.

Having their own UFED will "save a lot of time and travel for the officers involved," Perkins said. Until now, the task force has had to travel elsewhere to borrow another agency's UFED.

The ability to extract data from mobile devices raises some privacy concerns.

"Cell phone privacy issues all depend on the case," Perkins said. With written permission of the user, investigators can access the phone; without it, they would have to get permission from the courts. 

The UFED is about the size of a desk phone. Operating as a stand-alone unit or tethered to a computer, the device comes with a host of cables to plug into nearly 2,000 mobile devices, or 95 percent of all marketed cell phones, according to CelleBrite's Web site.

The purchase is part of requirements for the Multi-Jurisdiction Cyber Crime Grant, which provides federal money through the Missouri Department of Public Safety, according to the county purchase request.

[Diane Amberg]

Since cell phones are really radios, why would anyone expect privacy?

[greatguns]

Exactly!

[srkruzich]

Since cell phones are really radios, why would anyone expect privacy?

There is a big difference between broadcasting over a frequency and the Government coming into your phone when it is turned off and activating it to retrieve your data.  Big big difference.

What about your computer?  Do you think its ok if the Govt from a remote location comes in and turns on your puter and retrieves your personal data?  Did you know they can do that?  :O  you didn't know?
LOL yep they can. 
How many of you have digital cable i your home? OR dishnet or direct tv?  Did you know that the settop boxes h ave microphones and cameras in them and can be turned on from remote location?

But to answer your question about radio, cells are still phone service. IF you by chance are talking and a signal is picked up then yeah you can't expect it to not be monitored. Thats why if you want to talk on cell you need to encrypt your phone conversations.

The data stored on your phone though falls under private papers and 4th amendment of being secure in your property and private papers. 

[greatguns]

Yep, we knew that!

[pepelect]

It would only be an issue if you were doing something you weren't suppose to be doing in the first place.  Developing new forms of bomb material made out of undectable natural materials would probally not get to the FBI with out Google.

[greatguns]

I am so with you on that one!

[Diane Amberg]

If the Gov't wants to spy on my now boring, ordinary life, let 'em.They'd fall asleep. Now Varmit, that's something else. So for whomever is watching, that's V-A-R-M-I-T, spelled without the "n."Yuk,Yuk.

[srkruzich]

It would only be an issue if you were doing something you weren't suppose to be doing in the first place.  Developing new forms of bomb material made out of undectable natural materials would probally not get to the FBI with out Google.

Its an issue even if i am not doing anything. The government has no right to search anything of mine without a warrant. Period. 

[srkruzich]

If the Gov't wants to spy on my now boring, ordinary life, let 'em.They'd fall asleep. Now Varmit, that's something else. So for whomever is watching, that's V-A-R-M-I-T, spelled without the "n."Yuk,Yuk.

There in lies the problem. You aren't concerned enough about the constitution to hold them accountable for the illegal searching.  They are in violation of the law and you don't care.