Of course they aren't, because they're not required to, and money is money.
The fun part is that if it actually were restricted to collecting data for law enforcement? It would be a pretty obvious (though probably still not enforced because the courts suck) violation of your rights against searches without due process of law. But because it's "publicly available", they can pretend that it's not really a search.
I got nothing to hide 🤡
Well, if this is going to be used by shitty people, we should use and abuse it to the absolute hilt.
If privacy is dead, it's dead for everyone. Not just good people living their lives.
Any phone that spends Sunday morning at a megachurch? Let's see what massage parlors or whose houses they spend time at. Let's see where they are during that "business trip".
I mean, now that we know the addresses of people like Nick Fuentes and Matt Walsh, we should be able to figure out everywhere else they go too.
If we want to find the addresses of other notable fascists, just keep track when/where they're seen publicly until you figure out which device on the map is theirs, then see where they go at night.
Pretty much, yeah. Not only that, you can cross-reference it with other fascists if they ever deny knowing each other. Or cross-reference it with police, but I repeat myself.
So here are some timely tips to help protect your location privacy.
The article explains each one in detail, but the list is:
If you are going someplace sensitive, leave your actual phone at home. If you need a phone during that time, pickup a prepaid burner. It sounds extreme, but there are extreme people out there with extreme views about what you should and shouldn’t be doing. Protect yourself.
don't forget to pay in cash.
Thanks EFF!! Once again!
Reposting this in case anyone needs this information
Your survival kit:
Empty GrapheneOS Pixel 6a bought with cash that isn't your daily driver (last Pixel with snapdragon chip that allows IMEI changes)
JMP.chat
Silent.link
Sensors off (developer options)
Bluetooth/WiFi/NFC off
Disable 2G/enable LTE only mode
Offline maps/airplane mode when navigating/at destination/anywhere near your residence or other frequently visited places that could be associated with you. When changing the IMEI/IMSI combo make sure you go to another location first so that you break the link
Infrared AND polarized license plate covers. Remove any and all bumper stickers and other accessories that can be fingerprinted
IR blocking lens sunglasses for facial recognition
Tor browser over a trustworthy VPN
If you drive a car that is mid-2010s or newer you may have to do some digging to disable telemetry, satellite, cellular etc.
Or, better, not use a car at all because automated license plate readers. Cars seem antithetical to anonymity in general. Better take a tram/bus/subway and buy tickets with cash. Or at least call a taxi if it's really far from any transport stops.
This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.
