China Can Access Mobile Phone Data To Spy On People

from the but,-you-know,-only-for-good-reasons dept

Given China’s mentality towards its citizens, it probably won’t surprise many people to find out that the head of the country’s biggest mobile phone operator gleefully acknowledges that it can spy on anyone’s location and has no qualms about handing that info over to authorities. He also talks about how the company is considering using this data to better target advertisements. While the article paints this as somehow shocking, it’s been widely assumed that this was true already. And, the idea, as expressed in the article, that it wouldn’t or couldn’t happen in the United States seems a bit naive as well. Given how telcos helped the US government spy on phone calls without warrants, it seems like it may already be happening here as well.

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Comments on “China Can Access Mobile Phone Data To Spy On People”

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29 Comments
be free (user link) says:

Re: Re:

@ Anonymus Coward

>> They are coming to take you away….

Yeah yeah yeah, whatever. You like China? Then I’m sure you’re thrilled about the new post-Patriot Act/H.R. 1955 US.

A lot of us are not.

You do know that the government lied about Al Qaeda right (the caves didn’t exist). You do know that they lied about the WMD. You do know that they lied about the 911/Iraq connection right, and you still want to trust the government with your every private little detail.

I’m sick of mockery from people like you when somebody points out illegal action from the government, and are quick with the conspiracy label or paranoia label.

It’s not that he’s asking for much here, just not having to be under surveillance 24/7. Is that really too much to ask?

J Kerry says:

Re: Re: Re:

Then I’m sure you’re thrilled about the new post-Patriot Act/H.R. 1955 US.
A lot of us are not.
You do know that the government lied about Al Qaeda right (the caves didn’t exist). You do know that they lied about the WMD. You do know that they lied about the 911/Iraq connection right, and you still want to trust the government with your every private little detail.

I trust them and am glad they might be listening, because we really have to keep track of looney tunes like you.

Gawd, see a shrink and get a life.

Overcast says:

And, the idea, as expressed in the article, that it wouldn’t or couldn’t happen in the United States seems a bit naive as well.

Couldn’t agree more. Anyone who thinks otherwise – remember… your social security number is not to be used for purposes of identification… 🙂

Oh is it now?

I agree – I’m sure it’s already happening here. That’s what the ‘Patriot’ act is for.

Killer_Tofu (profile) says:

Poster #1

Is either a fool or one of the people trying to pull the strings. Either way the comment is completely irrelavent.
Mike never claimed they were coming to get him. Did you post that thinking you were making some point or something? The only thing you accomplished in showing was ignorance, both with regards to Mike’s post and our government.

4-80-sicks says:

Re: Poster #1

Is either a fool or one of the people trying to pull the strings. Either way the comment is completely irrelavent.
Mike never claimed they were coming to get him. Did you post that thinking you were making some point or something?

When you can’t make a rational argument, tear someone down by trying to discredit their reputation. Especially with a sarcastic, seemingly offhand comment.

Funny thing is – really – some people believe ‘Government’.

Yep. He’s apparently one of those.

Geoff says:

Cell Phone - Roving Bug

Fed’s are already listening.

The U.S. Commerce Department’s security office warns that “a cellular telephone can be turned into a microphone and transmitter for the purpose of listening to conversations in the vicinity of the phone.” An article in the Financial Times last year said mobile providers can “remotely install a piece of software on to any handset, without the owner’s knowledge, which will activate the microphone even when its owner is not making a call.”

The Man says:

China is the Enemy

Most forget that they are commies. They are the enemy and want to destroy us. They are trying to destroy our economy and right now we are helping. When we wake up and start sanctions. Watch out for military retaliation. There are leaked china gov. documents that spell this exact situation out as their master plan to destroy the US.

Carsten (user link) says:

Informed Article

In case you would like to read an informed article and not no-brainer copy&paste journalism (I don’t include Techdirt here), take a look at Imagethief:
“… Wang could have picked his words better. “We know who you are, but also where you are,” makes it sounds like he is arranging a mob hit.
But that doesn’t change the fact that, from what I can see in this article, China Mobile is doing much the same things as mobile telecoms operators the world over. All mobile phone operators know where you are. That’s how a mobile network works. …”

gangstalking (user link) says:

They are already doing this.

They are already doing this. They used this method in America 2 years ago, to put a mob boss in prison. They had his cellphone company remotely install software on his cellphone and it listened into all his conversations.

Apparently the technology has been available for years. Also the cameraphone can be used to watch you as well. People all over are carrying little bugs and spying machines. Remember the batman movie that came out last summer? There is a scene where they use all the phone in the city as one big bugging device, and I don’t think that is so far off from the truth. You are in a surveillance society, the problem is most people just don’t realise it yet.

http://www.GangStalkingUnited.com

Check out the free ebook, lot’s of information about this stuff.

FOX Mobile Spy (user link) says:

FOX Mobile Spy

You can try I have been using this software because it is easy to recommend.

http://download.cnet.com/FOX-Mobile-Spy/3000-10440_4-75990480.html

FOX Mobile Spy is a free cloud hosted android app to help you track and monitor your cellphone on cloud sever and your own phones, monitor your cellphone anywhere and anytime, free to track your phone’s sms, incoming and outcoming calls, apps italled, gps location track.

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