Till some state trooper decides to track down his cheating ex-wife:
Wisconsin police can attach GPS to cars to secretly track anybody’s movements without obtaining search warrants, an appeals court ruled Thursday.
However, the District 4 Court of Appeals said it was “more than a little troubled” by that conclusion and asked Wisconsin lawmakers to regulate GPS use to protect against abuse by police and private individuals.
As the law currently stands, the court said police can mount GPS on cars to track people without violating their constitutional rights—even if the drivers aren’t suspects.
Officers do not need to get warrants beforehand because GPS tracking does not involve a search or a seizure, Judge Paul Lundsten wrote for the unanimous three-judge panel based in Madison.
Am I the only person who worries about stuff like this? I mean, maybe I could see it if the trace was not admissable as evidence in court and it was used only to build a case-but even then the potential for abuse is very high.
Lawsuits and a Supreme Court case await.
Think twofer. The same guys that brought us illegal radar detectors will bring out the universal GPS/CELL phone disabler that you can bolt into your car for $49.95. Give it a year or two.
I think these three judges should be the first to have GPS trackers installed on their cars. Use the type that will tell how fast you go and we can send them a ticket for speeding. Think they might change their opinions?
I’m right there with you in worry. Abused it will be. Not a single doubt in the world.
“Lawsuits and a Supreme Court case await.”
As does a business opportunity for Drive-thru ECM shops–find out what active electronics you have on board.