Tracked through mobile phone masts

A startling investigation by The Observer has revealed our government is behind a new project which could enable them to track us using our mobile phones.

As they reported yesterday:

The technology 'sees' the shapes made when radio waves emitted by mobile phone masts meet an obstruction. Signals bounced back by immobile objects, such as walls or trees, are filtered out by the receiver. This allows anything moving, such as cars or people, to be tracked. Previously, radar needed massive fixed equipment to work and transmissions from mobile phone masts were thought too weak to be useful.

The system works wherever a mobile phone can pick up a signal. By using receivers attached to mobile phone masts, users of the new technology could focus in on areas hundreds of miles away and bring up a display showing any moving vehicles and people.

An individual with one type of receiver, a portable unit little bigger than a laptop computer, could even use it as a 'personal radar' covering the area around the user. Researchers are working to give the new equipment 'X-ray vision' - the capability to 'see' through walls and look into people's homes.

Ministry of Defence officials are hoping to introduce the system as soon as resources allow. Police and security services are known to be interested in a variety of possible surveillance applications. The researchers themselves say the system, known as Celldar, is aimed at anti-terrorism defence, security and road traffic management. 

It's the same familiar triumvirate - terrorists, 'public safety' and drivers. How many of our freedoms and liberties have been curtailed out of concern with these three issues? If something can be done, the government tends to think it ought to be done; regardless of the privacy implications.

This passage of the report was particularly scary: After a series of meetings with Roke Manor, a private research company in Romsey, Hants, MoD officials have started funding the multi-million pound project. Reports of the meetings are 'classified'.

So, the MOD are spending taxpayers' money, but won't tell us on what. Our state is secretly financing a project that could enable it to know where we are at all times.

Celldar - a nightmarish future that is no longer so far away.

By Dylan Sharpe

Comments

[Elliot Fullwood]

A useful technology that should be developed but used sparingly under the control of the courts.

[Andrew Ampers Taylor]

Useful for tracking honest people with their legally owned mobiles I guess.

Who can spot the "but" here?

Ampers

[startledcod]

and if anyone says 'if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear' .............. I cannot be held responsible for my actions.

You have absolutely hit the nail on the head: 'If something can be done, the government tends to think it ought to be done'. GoBro gave a speech promising more funding for CCTV cameras.

Aaaaagh!

[CiaranG]

Your headline and first paragraph are completely wrong, it's nothing to do with "your mobile phone". The system as described can track you whether you have one or not.

[Dylan]

Many thanks, Ciaran. You are completely correct!

[Pete Brook]

The article you quote from was not published yesterday. It was penned in 2002.

It seems to me that the Observer report is early speculation of what mobile technology meant. I am sure there are more recent - and relevant - sources to quote.

Who knows, it could be worse? Or it may have been wide of the mark and not have come to pass?

[Redacted]

Can't wait 'til Google gets hold of it.

Anyone know where I can get a lead-lined box to live in?

[Purlieu]

Celldar is nothing new.
They've been using the mil version in Iraq etc for years.
Oops ...

[GPS tracker]

As a matter of fact, our carriers can track us as well, US carriers all offer family locating services.

[Sam Watkins]

Tech also exists to track the exact location of all cell phone users in a network. I'm not sure whether or where this is in use, I suppose it is in use in the USA and/or the UK.

http://www.trueposition.com/web/guest/trueposition-location-intelligence

http://www.trueposition.com/web/guest/u-tdoa

https://ssd.eff.org/wire/protect/cell-tracking

[Dow Jones history]

Very important and informative article. Will be very helpful for cops and investigators to nab the bad guys. Such technology sounds like those which we see in Hollywood movies.

[Cell Phone Reverse Lookup]

I actually thought it has been possible to track down a cell phone user's location for a long while now. If somebody wants to find you, they can find you if you are either using a computer online or a cell phone.

[Watch Cell Phone]

Agreed. I don't understand the concept of phone watches myself. Maybe it's because I like to have one device that does everything (camera, phone, mp3/mp4 player, MiniPC), and can't see the purpose of having such a small device that only makes calls and plays music. Basically, the only reason I see people buying this is in order to show off, because a $60 Metro phone has the same features. It's going to be a while before people take these things seriously.

[cheap calls]

The article sounded good but after reading all these comments I concluded that Celldar is not interesting enough.

[pirates of caribbean 4 movie]

Your headline and first paragraph are completely wrong, it's nothing to do with "your mobile phone". The system as described can track you whether you have one or not.

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Soon we will all be tracked by our mobiles. The best solution is to use an old one instead the latest piece by apple