Beware -Michigan Police Searching Smartphones

Mich. Cops Can Now Steal Your Cell Phone Data — ‘Without the Owner Knowing'

It’s a scary scenario. You’re driving down the road and get pulled over by a state patrolman. After checking your license and registration, the officer asks for your cell phone, and then uses a futuristic machine to download all your data. In Michigan, it’s happening.
An extraction device sold by manufacturer Cellebrite.

CNet.com reports the Michigan State Police (MSP) are using “extraction devices” to download personal information from motorists’ cell phones, including contacts, videos, GPS data, and pictures, “even if they’re not suspected of any crime.”
“The handheld machines have various interfaces to work with different models and can even bypass security passwords and access some information,” CNet says. The MSP have admitted to owning five of the devices.
The ACLU isn’t happy. In a press release last week, the group continued its mission to have the MSP hand over records indicating how the information is being used. For three years, the release says, the MSP has been giving the ACLU the run around. In fact, it’s now come to the point where the MSP is demanding over $500,000 in processing fees to fork over the data.
“We should not have to go on expensive fishing expeditions in order to discover whether police are violating the rights of residents they have resolved to protect and serve,” the release said.
“Complete extraction of existing, hidden, and deleted phone data, including call history, text messages, contacts, images, and geotags,” a brochure from device manufacturer Cellebrite says about the tool’s capabilities. “The Physical Analyzer allows visualization of both existing and deleted locations on Google Earth. In addition, location information from GPS devices and image geotags can be mapped on Google Maps.”
The ACLU also says the data extraction can take place “without the owner of the cellphone knowing.”
The group is now threatening to sue in order to get the data.
“This seems like a pretty obvious violation of the 4th Amendment prohibition of unreasonable searches and seizures,” Business Insider writes. “If a police officer can’t look into your trunk when you get pulled over, they certainly can’t download your photos and text messages.”

Of course, the answer is to say no, when they ask for your phone. But, anyone who has been pulled over you know the pressure they put on you. This truly is a violation of our rights.

1984 is here and very healthy.

lol , to funny

They aren't getting my phone!

Michigan police call each other to tell different jurisdictions what information they find like... caregivers, patients, etc. So when you are pulled over and they find your card (if you carry it) they will call your jurisdiction and rat on you-even though it is supposed to be private information.

Here, in this state, nothing is sacred

When he asks for your cell phone you just tell him you don't have one, if he demands it then stick it in your ass and see if he will try and retrieve it then. If he does try and retrieve it then you can press charges for unlawful assault. Get a few million dollar suits against the Michigan police and see how fast the info extraction program lasts.

yeah just don't let them see your phone when they ask. But if you also happen to have a Iun iphone, they can access stored files that also give gps coordinants of all known places youve travelled with your phone

http://m.npr.org/story/135570632?url=/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/04/20/135570632/researchers-apples-iphone-keeps-track-of-every-little-place-you-go&sc=fb&cc=fp

From what I've been able to find says that they are using anyone's cell phone information, so it doesn't have to be information on your phone. If someone else has texted about you (and what you're doing) that can be seen as probable cause.

If they ask for your phone say You'll need a warrant and I'll need to talk to my lawyer, END of conversation.

once this gets to court the shit will really hit the fan. i would rather be arrested than hand some pig my phone because i ran a light.