See other Science/Tech Articles
Title: Texas Senate waves through cell phone wiretapping bill
Source:
theregister
URL Source: http://www.theregister.com/2007/04/20/texas_wiretap_laws/
Published: Apr 20, 2007
Author: John Leyden
Post Date: 2007-04-20 15:14:10 by TheSilverFox
Keywords: None
Views: 181
Comments: 8
A bill extending wiretapping provisions to cell phones and covering a wider range of crimes - including kidnaping, human trafficking and money laundering - has been approved by the Texas Senate. Only murder, drug-related crimes and child pornography investigations are covered by existing lawful interception laws in Texas, AP reports. Wiretaps authorised by the proposed laws could be used to authorise the tracking of suspect's mobile, land line and online activities in multiple locations; unlike current laws which are location specific. The draft Homeland Security legislation also places tighter controls on the sale of prepaid phones. Retailers will be asked to keep records of customers in a move that means prepaid phones can no longer be bought over the counter without ID. Customers will have to supply their name and address, date of birth or Social Security number, while sales would be limited to five prepaid cell phones at a time. Police in Texas were also given the legislative go-ahead to use CCTV footage at toll booths to prosecute crime. Sen. John Carona, the architect of the bill, argued that the legislation would help police to fight organised crime and terrorism in the state. Critics said the measures extended crimes labeled as homeland security issues too far. One Democrat senator voiced concerns over whether the bill infringed Texans' civil liberties, particular the friends and relatives of suspects, but the proposals ultimately received the unanimous approval of the state's upper house. The bill was passed down to the House of Representatives in Texas for further consideration. ®
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#1. To: TheSilverFox, lodwick, christine, IndieTX, Texans (#0)
"The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes nor between parties either — but right through the human heart." — Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
You all better lobby hard to get this defeated, then get this bozo out of office.
No offense Texans, but my impression fo Texas is that it has become a total police state, even worse than CT and NY.
Sen. John Carona, the architect of the bill, argued that the legislation would help police to fight organised crime and terrorism in the state. Critics said the measures extended crimes labeled as homeland security issues too far.
#2. To: robin, lodwick, christine, IndieTX, Texans (#1)
(Edited)
#3. To: TheSilverFox (#0)
A new truth movement friendly digg type site: Zlonk it!
#4. To: TheSilverFox (#0)
I feel soooooo much safer already. Idiots.
Customers will have to supply their name and address, date of birth or Social Security number, while sales would be limited to five prepaid cell phones at a time.
#5. To: TheSilverFox (#0)
What about internet phones? With encryption added, there's not going to be much the police can do about it. Ultimately, secure phone communication will be available to whomever wants it. The police state will lose this particular fight in the end.
#6. To: robin, all (#1)
I have grown to despise this state and its political WHORES.
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
#7. To: TheSilverFox (#0)
ZEIG HEIL! ZEIG HEIL! ZEIG HEIL! ZEIG HEIL! ZEIG HEIL!
The draft Homeland Security legislation also places tighter controls on the sale of prepaid phones. Retailers will be asked to keep records of customers in a move that means prepaid phones can no longer be bought over the counter without ID. Customers will have to supply their name and address, date of birth or Social Security number, while sales would be limited to five prepaid cell phones at a time.
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
#8. To: IndieTX (#6)
Tsk, tsk...you can't be serious. Why Texas gave us LBJ and 41 and Duh-dubya. Praise the Lord! What's not to like about Texas?
I have grown to despise this state and its political WHORES.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest