Google Gives Feds 1,500 Phone Locations in Unprecedented ‘Geofence’ Search (forbes.com)

Article summary

The article discusses a case where Google provided the federal government with 1,500 phone locations in an unprecedented 'geofence' search. The comments reveal that this incident has sparked concerns about smartphone privacy and surveillance. Some individuals are considering abandoning smartphones or using alternative devices to protect their privacy. The discussion focuses on the trade-offs between convenience and privacy in the use of smartphones and other mobile devices.

Main themes

• smartphone privacy
• surveillance
• alternative devices
• mobile security
• geofence search

What commenters say

• Abandoning smartphones is a viable option for those concerned about privacy and surveillance.
• Using a 'burner' phone or a device with minimal data about the owner can help maintain anonymity.
• Alternative devices, such as Linux pocket computers or feature phones, can provide a more private mobile experience.
• The use of smartphones is a trade-off between convenience and privacy, and some individuals are willing to sacrifice convenience for greater privacy.
• Carriers have the same data as Google and Apple, and switching to a dumbphone may not provide significant privacy benefits.
• Petitioning representatives to restrict the use of location data may be a more effective way to protect privacy than using alternative devices.
• For those not targeted by government surveillance, using a burner phone or other indirect methods may be sufficient to maintain privacy.
• Completely avoiding the use of mobile devices or only using them in limited ways, such as Richard Stallman's approach, is an extreme but effective way to protect privacy.