The 404 Media Podcast How the U.S. Government Tracks Your Phone
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Oct 23, 2024 Join Becky Ferreira, a seasoned science reporter and author of 'The Abstract,' as she dives into the troubling implications of Locate X, a tool used by U.S. agencies to track smartphones, especially around sensitive locations like abortion clinics. She shares insights on the ethical concerns surrounding such surveillance. Also discussed are the evolving risks of data privacy in light of Roe v. Wade's overturn and the importance of effective science communication, showcasing her passion for disseminating discoveries from the scientific realm.
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Locate X Abortion Clinic Tracking
- Privacy advocates accessed Locate X, a phone tracking tool bought by U.S. agencies.
- They observed 700 phones at a southern abortion clinic and followed one back to Alabama.
Government Purchase of Locate X
- Locate X purchase by various U.S. agencies, including law enforcement and military, raises privacy concerns.
- A Florida state agency's purchase suggests wider adoption at state and local levels.
Unrestricted Access to Locate X
- Atlas Privacy obtained a Locate X free trial with seemingly no restrictions, highlighting lax security.
- They queried locations like abortion clinics, mosques, and synagogues, raising serious privacy concerns.