Numerous Cities Installing Listening Devices on Buses to Eavesdrop on Passengers — and the Feds Are Footing a Lot of the Bill

Excerpt:

Zitat

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When in a public space, like a city bus, you’re probably somewhat aware that conversations are not necessarily for your ears only — the bored eavesdropper could be hanging on every word of your one-sided phone call. But according to a report by The Daily, some city transit authorities are installing audio devices that will listen to what all passengers are saying.

The Daily’s Michael Brick reported cities including San Francisco, Hartford, Conn., Eugene, Ore., Columbus, Ohio, Traverse City, Mich., Athens, Ga., and Baltimore, Md., are deploying the technology, which is in some cases funded either entirely or in part by the federal government. Brick found the Department of Homeland Security is footing the entire bill for the surveillance system, which will be coupled with video cameras already in use on most buses, in San Francisco, for example.

Some of the transit authorities believe including audio surveillance will increase passenger safety, while others, like Joel Gardener, the executive director of Ozark Regional Transit in Arkansas, told The Daily the audio it could be a “lifesaver” for drivers because it could help refute false accusations of misconduct.

As with any news about increased citizen surveillance, there are those with concerns regarding the extent of the eavesdropping and how else the information collected could be used. The Daily explained further:

“This is very shocking,” said Anita Allen, a privacy law expert at the University of Pennsylvania. “It’s a little beyond what we’re accustomed to. The adding of the audio seems more sensitive.”

[...]

“Given the resolution claims, it would be trivial to couple this system to something like facial or auditory recognition systems to allow identification of travelers,” said Ashkan Soltani, an independent security consultant asked by The Daily to review the specs of an audio surveillance system marketed to transit agencies. “This technology is sadly indicative of a trend in increased surveillance by commercial and law enforcement entities, under the guise of improved safety.”

Some like the Maryland Transit Authority, which will install camera/audio systems on 340 buses, have pushed for use of the system for several years but have been met with public resistance, which has cited wiretapping laws and constitutional protection in arguments against the surveillance. The MTA plans to protect itself from those wishing to take the issue to court by posting warning notices on the bus about the devices, The Daily reported.

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Sung to the tune of "What are Little Girl's Made Of?"

"What are Police States made of?"
"Insect drones and microphones."
"That's what Police States are made of."

If you sing it, it doesn't sound as scary.

Another, what could possibly go wrong?

And, I am just amazed at the silence from the Left on all of this. If Jorge Bush was still POTUS, there would be massive protests all over against Homeland Security and all of its creeping offshoots. Their man in the office..... crickets!

Quote: Palinista wrote in post #2

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Sung to the tune of "What are Little Girl's Made Of?"

"What are Police States made of?"
"Insect drones and microphones."
"That's what Police States are made of."

If you sing it, it doesn't sound as scary.

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Quote: FP123 wrote in post #3

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Another, what could possibly go wrong?

And, I am just amazed at the silence from the Left on all of this. If Jorge Bush was still POTUS, there would be massive protests all over against Homeland Security and all of its creeping offshoots. Their man in the office..... crickets!

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Quote: steph wrote in post #5

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Quote: FP123 wrote in post #3

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Another, what could possibly go wrong?

And, I am just amazed at the silence from the Left on all of this. If Jorge Bush was still POTUS, there would be massive protests all over against Homeland Security and all of its creeping offshoots. Their man in the office..... crickets!

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Isn't it amazing how the same thing that drove the rabid antiwar crowd during the Bush years is just peachy because their side is in power.

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I should also add though, there was incredible push-back at FR and other sites when anyone would question the creation of Homeland Security and the "Patriot Act" back under Bush.

A lot of us Constitutional Conservatives haven't been happy about the loss of Liberty no matter which wing of the Establishment Political Party is in office. The rest.... not so much!

Nanny-staters hide in sheep's clothing. Didn't everyone learn about Aesop's Fables in school?

Fabian Socialists

I've heard some argue that Obama isn't a socialist. They say he is a fascist. I think it will still take some time to totally come to a conclusion. And even then history may have to come up with a new category for him. He's a monster.

Quote: Palinista wrote in post #10

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I've heard some argue that Obama isn't a socialist. They say he is a fascist. I think it will still take some time to totally come to a conclusion. And even then history may have to come up with a new category for him. He's a monster.

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Carl or Grocho?

Quote: Palinista wrote in post #6

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Quote: steph wrote in post #5

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Quote: FP123 wrote in post #3

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Another, what could possibly go wrong?

And, I am just amazed at the silence from the Left on all of this. If Jorge Bush was still POTUS, there would be massive protests all over against Homeland Security and all of its creeping offshoots. Their man in the office..... crickets!

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Isn't it amazing how the same thing that drove the rabid antiwar crowd during the Bush years is just peachy because their side is in power.

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I recently learned from an article that nicmarlo posted on the old site that George Orwell was a socialist. I kind of remember learning that in school, but I had forgotten.

That Orwell could write Animal Farm AND 1984 and then believe to his dying day that his socialism would not be as dangerous as the future that he portrayed in his fiction is disquieting.

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Quote: FP123 wrote in post #9

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Fabian Socialists

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Quote: Palinista wrote in post #6

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I recently learned from an article that nicmarlo posted on the old site that George Orwell was a socialist. I kind of remember learning that in school, but I had forgotten.

That Orwell could write Animal Farm AND 1984 and then believe to his dying day that his socialism would not be as dangerous as the future that he portrayed in his fiction is disquieting.

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