How 2 protect ur data from snooping cops

[Achim]

...when you get stopped for a traffic violation?
That is the question.

Big Brother's ever tightening noose:

In a case explicitly decided to set a precedent, the California Appellate court has determined police officers can rifle through your cellphone during a traffic violation stop...

Florida and Georgia are among the states that give no protection to a phone during a search. In particular, Florida law treats a smartphone as a 'container' for the purposes of a search, similar to say a cardboard box open on the passenger seat, despite the thousands of personal emails, contacts, and photos a phone can carry stretching back years. But after initially striking down cell phone snooping, California has now joined the list of states that allow cops to go through your phone without a warrant.

Pedestrians are also traffic...
I.o.w. everybody's phones are now fair game! Especially those phones/cameras used to record evidence of police excess!
See where this is going?

Knowing this I'm now immediately embarking on a quest to find a way – a 'kill switch' – to instantaneously make the data on my phone really inaccessible, to anyone (including law enforcement's data extraction gear) but myself, in case I get stopped by police or other suspicious characters.
I bet millions of others have now woken up too.
I expect a plethora of apps and other 'solutions' countering this to flood the (underground) market.

As a kneejerk reflex I think I would favor an always-on trigger, e.g. a two or three word spoken password, that instantly wipes the phone deeply. Which you would be able to restore later, from your PC, because the system includes an up-to-the-second over-the-air backup mechanism. Encrypted of course.

Any thoughts, people?

 

[jerofld]

I read this article about 6 months ago when I still used my Droid X primarily. I found a pretty easy way of making it so they couldn't scan my phone. The scanner device plugs into the USB port and uses backdoors in the software to scan everything. My solution: Disable the USB port.

In Titanium Backup, I froze the "usb.apk" app and then tried to connect my phone to a computer. The computer never saw it. The phone would work fine otherwise. So a simple trace pattern and disabling that usb.apk app would protect you on Motorola Blur devices (assuming they still make it an apk driver). To reactivate USB connections, though, I would have to unfreeze the apk and reboot the phone. Haven't found a way to do the same thing on my Evo 3D, yet. I'm thinking data encryption would be the only way to go there.

 

[Achim]

I read this article about 6 months ago

Really?
You must be clairvoyant then, because this verdict was handed down on September 26, last...

when I still used my Droid X primarily. I found a pretty easy way of making it so they couldn't scan my phone. The scanner device plugs into the USB port and uses backdoors in the software to scan everything. My solution: Disable the USB port.

In normal, day-to-day circumstances I wouldn't want my USB port disabled. I use it all the time. At home, in the car, in the office. For charging and data transfer. Disabling the USB port on a smartphone would be akin to amputating a limb on a human being!

I'm thinking data encryption would be the only way to go there.

That won't work because you would be compelled to hand over the password(s), exactly like with TSA/DHS regulations. But if the phone is instantly wiped there are no data on it that need to be encrypted. In that situation having to hand over passwords isn't an issue either.

 

[jerofld]

Some article I read 6 months ago was covering how cops are now able to do this data retrieval and it made me curious if I could circumvent it. Maybe it was a different state. Michigan maybe.

The USB port would be a quick thing to do before handing the phone over, not as an all day thing. Considering the cop has to run your plates, you have a little time.

If all you want to do is wipe your device, then do Menu button > Settings > SD card > Factory reset. But don't you think it'd be a little suspicious that you hand the cop a wiped device? Where as, if you disable the USB port, you can at least make a plausible lie about it being broken and you have to put your battery in a wall charger at night.

 

[Achim]

If all you want to do is wipe your device, then do Menu button > Settings > SD card > Factory reset. But don't you think it'd be a little suspicious that you hand the cop a wiped device?

So replace the real data with some pre-pared filler data and innocuous pictures, etc. Registrations, to your name, should stay the same of course.

Where as, if you disable the USB port, you can at least make a plausible lie about it being broken and you have to put your battery in a wall charger at night.

Absolutely. That part is OK. But both you and I have also pointed out the disadvantages of this m.o. Imo they are prohibitive IRL. They would make using a smartphone a bonafide counterproductive PITA. Instead of a productive joy!

 

[sitlet]

Simple solution: don't tell them you have a phone.

 

[chanchan05]

Simple solution: don't tell them you have a phone.

Like they'd believe you. You'd even look more suspiscious IMO.

 

[chrisjz]

I don't have anything to hide, but i completely agree with every American out there, that this is an invasion of privacy. I can understand if i was caught selling drugs, or something extreme. But for speeding, they are allowed to go through my personal stuff?? Its just wrong.

Keep most of your things on your SD card, Pull it out if you get pulled over. I have a completely fried battery that i keep in my glovebox. Switch it out of and just say your battery is dead. Doesn't take but a couple seconds to do both of those.

 

[sitlet]

Yep, or just take your battery out and hand them a dead phone.

 

[Petrah]

I have a completely fried battery that i keep in my glovebox. Switch it out of and just say your battery is dead. Doesn't take but a couple seconds to do both of those.

If I were a police officer walking up to your car and I saw you leaning over to your glove box.. you'd have a gun aimed at the back of your head right quick like.

Just sayin.

 

[Achim]

Simple solution: don't tell them you have a phone.

When it's stuck to your windshield for navigation? Yeah, that's real smart!

 

[mrcaptain]

There is no way you can "hide" data stored in your phone. If the police want to see what's on your phone, they will.
Phones are exactly the same as computers, in that when you delete something, it is still "stored" on the hard drive.
There is software to get ALL data from a smartphone, same as there is software to get data from computers. The only difference with computers is there is software which basically writes over the data several times, which makes it really hard and sometimes impossible to get at the data. But ultimately, there is always a way.
Police know the sort of data people have on their smartphines, and if you don't have such data, it will be very suspicious. They will also know the excuses people use, like "my battery is dead" etc.

If you don't want to get in trouble with the law, don't break the law. If you have no incriminating data on your phone, you have no problem.

 

[Achim]

If you don't want to get in trouble with the law, don't break the law. If you have no incriminating data on your phone, you have no problem.

You seem to make the fundamental Tea Party mistake of forgetting that the law is there to serve the citizen! Not the other way around!

 

[chanchan05]

You seem to make the fundamental Tea Party mistake of forgetting that the law is there to serve the citizen! Not the other way around!

The law serves as rules to keep things in order. The law serving the citizens in a way by keeping the peace. that said, not breaking ANY law is still justified as the best way to avoid such incidents.

 

[HJAcevedo]

From what I understand this is a state law? I don't see it holding up too well in court. If they DO somehow find something on you get a writ of certiori and bring it up to the higher courts. This is a complete violation of our rights. A car stop is NOT enough reason to do such an extensive search AND THEN seizure of information.

My guess is that smartphones are new technology so as of right now the do's and don'ts with a smart phone are up in the air so certain states are looking to bust some folks who don't have any idea how to defend themselves in court with bogus searches like this.

It's a lot like when wire tapping was first introduced and whatnot. If your state has this bogus law i HIGHLY suggest fighting it. No way federal courts would let this stand.

 

[HJAcevedo]

Sorry to double post but I feel this warrants another post.

A quick google search found me this;
California bill would ban warrantless cell phone searches - CNN.com

Police can no longer do a warrant less search on your phone.

 

[zuben el genub]

The law has been wrong. Tried to bust a family member for a traffic accident, when I had the car in another town and could prove it.

The law is supposed to keep things in order, but with so many claims (and proof thereof) of excessive force, some cities (Denver is one) are trying to change things around. Denver has paid out substantial amounts for rogues.

 

[Achim]

The law has been wrong.

Exactly !
AND is often abused by those with the opportunity to!

Tried to bust a family member for a traffic accident, when I had the car in another town and could prove it.

Did you get reimbursed for the time, effort, expenses, and aggravation it cost you to set things straight?
Were you intimidated when you did?

The law is supposed to keep things in order, but with so many claims (and proof thereof) of excessive force, some cities (Denver is one) are trying to change things around. Denver has paid out substantial amounts for rogues.

So first the taxpayer finances the police and then the taxpayer also picks up the tab for its transgressions?
What is wrong with that picture?

Let's not forget these 'incidents' (20,000+ hits)!
So Denver is far from unique. Alas. Quite the contrary. This kind of power abuse is not incidental. It is pervasive!

 

[cds0699]

If you don't want to get in trouble with the law, don't break the law. If you have no incriminating data on your phone, you have no problem.

I hear this all the time, and I disagree 110%. I am a law abiding citizen, living in a "free" country. As such, I have a right to my privacy from unlawful search and seizure. So unless they have a warrant, or probable cause, they do not have any right to search my possessions, including my smartphone. I fail to see how there is probable cause to search my smartphone during a routine traffic stop.

Same old line, "don't do anything wrong and you won't have any problems". Perhaps research and see that innocent people have had their rights violated a lot in the past, and if we don't learn from the past, and our mistakes, then we are bound to repeat them.

Last thing I want to see is the United States turn into a police state, and it's happening more and more every day. Police having these rights in routine traffic stops is simply one example.

 

[gargoyle725]

in the first post florida was mentioned. Well I live in fl and if you get pulled over for a traffic violation they canot search you car with out permission or probable cause. Leave you phone in the car. Dont give into intimadation., they will say stuff like why not if there is nothing to hide. Just reply with Because I am a citizen of a free country and I dont want you to. Keep in mind this will annoy the officer and a simple ticket will take a long time to write. My wife had her truck searched once and they messed it all up, no damage but threw everything around. Oh and they did not find anything. The funny thing is they Missed an obvious hiding spot that would have fit an ak47. I am very pro law enforcement but will not let my rights be violated by some gung ho rookie. They may not have quatas but they do get brownie points

 

[Achim]

They may not have quatas

That's what they said for over a decade. Turns out they, the police, lied to the public, their paymasters!, all that time! They do have quotas! To fill the city coffers. Literally milking citizens.

The police are bald-faced liars, and they can never be trusted. And they are sadists when the mood strikes them.

 

[AngryHatter]

That's what they said for over a decade. Turns out they, the police, lied to the public, their paymasters!, all that time! They do have quotas! To fill the city coffers. Literally milking citizens.

The police are bald-faced liars, and they can never be trusted. And they are sadists when the mood strikes them.

There are bad people in any group and they are no different. That you believe them to be evil as a group speaks more about you than it does about them.

 

[Achim]

There are bad people in any group and they are no different. That you believe them to be evil as a group speaks more about you than it does about them.

Don't ridicule the facts away. That says more about you than about what you say. They lied as a group. The quotas pertain to 90% of those groups. The same m.o./attitude applies to all police forces everywhere across the world. It is clearly inherent to the whole 'group'. Thus the whole 'group' needs to be fundamentally mistrusted and closely watched at all times!

Thank god for phonecams and the internet!

 

[Kelmar]

This thread has quickly turned down hill and is full of half truths and misconceptions (not to mention that the android applications section isn't the place for this debate).

Personally, I have COMPLETE respect for those who put their life on the line everyday to protect and serve our communities.

/ thread