A report published by the Daily Mail this morning has highlighted the fact the Metropolitan Police have ordered a software package called 'Geotime' - "a security programme used by the U.S. military which tracks suspects' movements and communications and displays them on a three-dimensional graphic".
The software, which will be trialled in London before any decisions are made about its use across the UK, brings together information from social networking websites such as Facebook, financial transactions and mobile 'phone records in order to present an in-depth picture of an individual's movements.
While the BBW team are not luddites and are indeed keen to see the Police adopt new technology in order to fight crime, their decision to adopt technology designed for theatres of war in order to track members of the public is deeply concerning. Quite simply, the ability to build up such a comprehensive record of any person's movements represents a significant threat to personal privacy.
It is crucial, if this technology is to be rolled out further than London, that Police forces reassure the public that this technology will be used in only the most serious of cases, not as a tool to help solve low-level crimes.
Use cash, use a pay as you go phone and change regularly (always paying in cash of course), don't use social networking sites - there that should give Geotime a bit of a touch time.
Hercule Poirot solved crimes using his little grey cells - a much more sensible approach.
Posted by: oldfashioned | 12/05/2011 at 12:32 PM
apologies - that should read - tough time
Posted by: oldfashioned | 12/05/2011 at 12:33 PM
"this technology will be used in only the most serious of cases, not as a tool to help solve low-level crime"
The opposite is more likely though as the more "serious criminals" will be hiding their digital footprints. Expect to see this used for people reported missing or possibly citizens attending a peaceful protest.
Posted by: Chris | 13/05/2011 at 02:10 PM
oldfashioned is right. Stay offline and go low-tech to render Geotime useless.
Posted by: NeverSurrender | 13/05/2011 at 09:01 PM
Take care what phone number you disclose.
Also take care what email addresses you disclose.
Take care what name you put on your email address.
Take care what "security" questions you answer, and what details you release on line.
And most of all, tell the kids.
Posted by: Me | 18/05/2011 at 02:20 PM