(Mis)Uses of Technology

(Mis)Uses of Technology

by Mike Masnick


Filed Under:
china, civil rights, mobile phones, privacy, surveillance, us



China Can Access Mobile Phone Data To Spy On People

from the but,-you-know,-only-for-good-reasons dept

Given China's mentality towards its citizens, it probably won't surprise many people to find out that the head of the country's biggest mobile phone operator gleefully acknowledges that it can spy on anyone's location and has no qualms about handing that info over to authorities. He also talks about how the company is considering using this data to better target advertisements. While the article paints this as somehow shocking, it's been widely assumed that this was true already. And, the idea, as expressed in the article, that it wouldn't or couldn't happen in the United States seems a bit naive as well. Given how telcos helped the US government spy on phone calls without warrants, it seems like it may already be happening here as well.

27 Comments | Leave a Comment..

 
 

Reader Comments

(Flattened / Threaded)

    Jan 29th, 2008 @ 12:29pm
  • by Anonymous Coward

    They are coming to take you away, Mike. Watch out! The man is coming. Oh no. Get a life.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Jan 29th, 2008 @ 1:20pm
    • Re:

      @ Anonymus Coward

      >> They are coming to take you away....

      Yeah yeah yeah, whatever. You like China? Then I'm sure you're thrilled about the new post-Patriot Act/H.R. 1955 US.

      A lot of us are not.

      You do know that the government lied about Al Qaeda right (the caves didn't exist). You do know that they lied about the WMD. You do know that they lied about the 911/Iraq connection right, and you still want to trust the government with your every private little detail.

      I'm sick of mockery from people like you when somebody points out illegal action from the government, and are quick with the conspiracy label or paranoia label.

      It's not that he's asking for much here, just not having to be under surveillance 24/7. Is that really too much to ask?

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

      • Jan 29th, 2008 @ 1:32pm
      • Re: Re:

        by J Kerry

        Then I'm sure you're thrilled about the new post-Patriot Act/H.R. 1955 US.
        A lot of us are not.
        You do know that the government lied about Al Qaeda right (the caves didn't exist). You do know that they lied about the WMD. You do know that they lied about the 911/Iraq connection right, and you still want to trust the government with your every private little detail.

        I trust them and am glad they might be listening, because we really have to keep track of looney tunes like you.

        Gawd, see a shrink and get a life.

        (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

        • Jan 29th, 2008 @ 1:44pm
        • Re: Re: Re:

          by Anonymous Coward

          then you sir, are a danger to our free society, you have been brainwashed and it may be too late for you.

          keep on watching that fox news and drinking the koolaid. The conspiracy theory guys make more sense with each passing day.

          (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

      Jan 29th, 2008 @ 2:14pm
    • Re:

      by Cixelsid

      The price of freedom is vigilance!

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Jan 29th, 2008 @ 2:45pm
    • Re: Anonymous coward

      by Bear

      Why would you criticize or mock Mike when all he is doing is trying to warn you of this danger to your freedom? I don't understand, please explain.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Jan 29th, 2008 @ 10:53pm
    • Re:

      by Anonymous Coward

      They are coming to take you away, Mike. Watch out! The man is coming. Oh no. Get a life.

      What a tool.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Jan 29th, 2008 @ 12:38pm
  • by Overcast

    And, the idea, as expressed in the article, that it wouldn't or couldn't happen in the United States seems a bit naive as well.

    Couldn't agree more. Anyone who thinks otherwise - remember... your social security number is not to be used for purposes of identification... :)

    Oh is it now?

    I agree - I'm sure it's already happening here. That's what the 'Patriot' act is for.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 29th, 2008 @ 12:41pm
  • May?!?

    by comboman

    Given how telcos helped the US government spy on phone calls without warrants, it seems like it may already be happening here as well.

    What do you mean may? It's been happening since at least 2005. For once America is ahead of the Chinese.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 29th, 2008 @ 12:45pm
  • Poster #1

    by icon Killer_Tofu (profile)

    Is either a fool or one of the people trying to pull the strings. Either way the comment is completely irrelavent.
    Mike never claimed they were coming to get him. Did you post that thinking you were making some point or something? The only thing you accomplished in showing was ignorance, both with regards to Mike's post and our government.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Jan 29th, 2008 @ 1:28pm
    • Re: Poster #1

      by 4-80-sicks

      Is either a fool or one of the people trying to pull the strings. Either way the comment is completely irrelavent. Mike never claimed they were coming to get him. Did you post that thinking you were making some point or something?

      When you can't make a rational argument, tear someone down by trying to discredit their reputation. Especially with a sarcastic, seemingly offhand comment.

      Funny thing is - really - some people believe 'Government'.

      Yep. He's apparently one of those.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

      • Jan 29th, 2008 @ 2:20pm
      • Re: Re: Poster #1

        by Cixelsid

        Funny thing is - really - some people believe 'Government'.

        Yep. He's apparently one of those.


        That's right, like good little sheep, gaily follow your master to the abattoir.

        (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Jan 29th, 2008 @ 12:57pm
  • by Incredulous

    Tracking someone's location by their cell phone is commonplace. There was a news story a few months back about a woman who disappeared, and was found in her wrecked car BY TRACKING HER CELL PHONE SIGNAL! This is news?

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 29th, 2008 @ 1:13pm
  • they track your cell... not you

    if you are going to kill someone, don't take your cell with you.

    if you are selling nuclear secrets to the chinese, don't take your cell with you.

    if you are planning on getting in a car accident, remember take your cell with you.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 29th, 2008 @ 1:13pm
  • Cell Phone - Roving Bug

    by Geoff

    Fed's are already listening.

    The U.S. Commerce Department's security office warns that "a cellular telephone can be turned into a microphone and transmitter for the purpose of listening to conversations in the vicinity of the phone." An article in the Financial Times last year said mobile providers can "remotely install a piece of software on to any handset, without the owner's knowledge, which will activate the microphone even when its owner is not making a call."

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 29th, 2008 @ 1:24pm
  • by Overcast

    Funny thing is - really - some people believe 'Government'.

    Even though - pick a day - any day - and you can find a politician lying. Anyone who thinks these politicians in power are being honest - is Naive indeed.

    I bet they believe Network News too :)

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 29th, 2008 @ 1:25pm
  • difference

    by confused_guy

    It is amazing to see how big the difference is between the response of media and politicians on steve jobs and a chinese telecom CEO when they both said we know where you are through your cellphone.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 29th, 2008 @ 1:49pm
  • by Geoff

    To COWARD.

    Your name is appropriate, for that you are. It would appear that you are a left-wing liberal puke who doesn't know your ass from a hole in the ground. I bet your boy friend is ramming you while you recklessly run your mouth. Is that engaging enough for you princess?

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 29th, 2008 @ 2:13pm
  • I'll go one better

    by midnight_toker

    Not only do they have the ability to track you, they can turn your cellphone on and listen to it's environment. It has been done and made public in the prosecution of a mobster.

    http://www.news.com/2100-1029_3-6140191.html

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 29th, 2008 @ 3:14pm
  • China is the Enemy

    by The Man

    Most forget that they are commies. They are the enemy and want to destroy us. They are trying to destroy our economy and right now we are helping. When we wake up and start sanctions. Watch out for military retaliation. There are leaked china gov. documents that spell this exact situation out as their master plan to destroy the US.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 29th, 2008 @ 7:10pm
  • The do that in the US too - link

    by Jeff

    Any Gov can spy on you if you carry a cell phone...here's a link to a little covered Fox News Story from 2006

    http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Find-Freedom.htm?At=021267&From=News

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 29th, 2008 @ 8:32pm
  • by ImmunityForTheTelecoms

    Of course the US telecoms have been spying, illegally, for the government. Why do you think Bush asked for retroactive immunity for the telecoms in the fooking STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS !

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Jan 30th, 2008 @ 8:09am
    • Re:

      by Cixelsid

      "...fooking STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS !"

      If you watched the SOTU address... why are you swearing like an irish person?

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Jan 30th, 2008 @ 6:02pm
  • Informed Article

    In case you would like to read an informed article and not no-brainer copy&paste journalism (I don't include Techdirt here), take a look at Imagethief:
    "... Wang could have picked his words better. "We know who you are, but also where you are," makes it sounds like he is arranging a mob hit.
    But that doesn't change the fact that, from what I can see in this article, China Mobile is doing much the same things as mobile telecoms operators the world over. All mobile phone operators know where you are. That's how a mobile network works. ..."

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 25th, 2008 @ 6:33am
  • spy mobile phone

    If you have a WM6 or symbian os mobile, you can use a mobile spy software to spy on your mobile phone learn more : Spy mobile phone

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 8th, 2009 @ 8:53am
  • Mobile spy happens anywhere

    Actually, mobile phone spy happens anywhere in the world.
    Anyone can use a mobile spy software like Mobile Spy to spy others

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 22nd, 2009 @ 4:16am
  • They are already doing this.

    They are already doing this. They used this method in America 2 years ago, to put a mob boss in prison. They had his cellphone company remotely install software on his cellphone and it listened into all his conversations.

    Apparently the technology has been available for years. Also the cameraphone can be used to watch you as well. People all over are carrying little bugs and spying machines. Remember the batman movie that came out last summer? There is a scene where they use all the phone in the city as one big bugging device, and I don't think that is so far off from the truth. You are in a surveillance society, the problem is most people just don't realise it yet.

    http://www.GangStalkingUnited.com

    Check out the free ebook, lot's of information about this stuff.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

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