15 May GPS and privacy rights
The police generally need a search warrant to enter a person’s home or to listen to phone calls. But courts have been divided on whether the police must obtain a warrant before placing a GPS device on a car. New York State’s highest court ruled this week that they do, an important victory for privacy rights.
A State Police investigator placed a GPS tracking device inside the bumper of Scott Weaver’s van without a search warrant. It was unclear based on the record of the case why the police were monitoring Mr. Weaver, but they tracked the van nonstop for 65 days. Mr. Weaver was eventually charged with burglary of a Kmart and convicted in part with evidence taken from the device.
Read full article>>