House Passes Bill To "Microchip Citizens With 'Mental Disabilities'"

Discussion in 'privacy general' started by hawki, Dec 14, 2016.

  1. hawki

    hawki Registered Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2008
    Posts:
    6,065
    Location:
    DC Metro Area
    A slippery slope ??

    While the ostensible purpose of the Bill is to protect those with with dementia or autism from becoming lost and not locatable, The Bill was challenged in The House because it " '[W]ould allow a federal tracking program, not for criminals in the U.S., not for terrorists, not for illegal immigrants or even immigrants who commit crimes, but for people with ‘developmental disabilities’ a term that is subject to wide misinterpretation...' "

    [Quoting Rep. Louie Gohmert, R -Texas]

    http://dailycaller.com/2016/12/08/human-tracking-bill-passes-house/

    The Bill has been questioned as opening the door for abuse, e.g., could political dissenters be classified as having "developmental disabilities?"

    http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-...rochip-citizens-mental-disabilities-whos-next
     
    Last edited: Dec 14, 2016
  2. Minimalist

    Minimalist Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2014
    Posts:
    14,881
    Location:
    Slovenia, EU
    As one proverb says: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions".
     
  3. Nebulus

    Nebulus Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2007
    Posts:
    1,635
    Location:
    European Union
    http://www.snopes.com/government-to-microchip-citizens/

     
  4. Krusty

    Krusty Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2012
    Posts:
    10,210
    Location:
    Among the gum trees
  5. Jerry666

    Jerry666 Registered Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2002
    Posts:
    176
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 20, 2016
  6. Krusty

    Krusty Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2012
    Posts:
    10,210
    Location:
    Among the gum trees
    I have a dumb phone, and yes, I use cash.
     
  7. boredog

    boredog Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2015
    Posts:
    2,499
    and don't get a customer card at casinos. ( the player tracking card ).it's all demographics. just like adds people click on and all about gathering as much data on people as they can.

    right jerry mark of the beast?
     
  8. Stefan Froberg

    Stefan Froberg Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2014
    Posts:
    747
    Same here. Dump phone and prepaid plan with plain old good cash.

    Also started little project to building my own "smart"phone. It's actually easier than I tought.
    Only problem is the case. (maybe 3d printing ?)
     
  9. Minimalist

    Minimalist Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2014
    Posts:
    14,881
    Location:
    Slovenia, EU
    Does any of your friends or family know your phone number and call you on this phone? If yes, they can get info about owner from their synced contacts :)
    Also, using SS7 they can track where you are as long as you have signal (it doesn't matter if it's smart or dumb phone).
    But I agree, dumb phones are usually more private than smart ones.
     
  10. Stefan Froberg

    Stefan Froberg Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2014
    Posts:
    747
    Only thing they would get is my name.

    You mean operators of the SS7 or hackers? Sure. I know that SS7 is horrible mess and if someone manages to get inside it's free for all.

    What Im trying to protect myself are those outside forces that don't have access to SS7 and don't know how to get in but who can try to sniff the airways and try downgrade attack (stinger).

    This modem chip has pretty neat features, like locking itself to certain radio frequency or even locking to certain cell tower.

    Even imei change seems possible (I tought that was impossible?).
     
  11. hawki

    hawki Registered Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2008
    Posts:
    6,065
    Location:
    DC Metro Area
    FWIW: The House Bill that the Snopes Article addresses differs from the version of the Bill passed by the Senate:

    https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/2614/text

    The Senate Bill states that:

    "Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and leading research, advocacy, self-advocacy, and service organizations, shall establish standards and best practices relating to the use of tracking technology to locate individuals as described in subsection (a)(2) of section 240001 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 14181), as added by this Act."

    While the Senate and House Bills both require the tracking device to be "voluntary," there is no restriction in the Senate Bill similar to the House Bill that requires the tracking technology to be "non-invasive and non permananent." or "non-marking." [Query: What is "voluntary" in the context of an individual who allegedly has dementia, Alzheimer's, or a mental disability? Who makes the decision? A guardian? Law Enforcement Authority? State or Local Social Services?]

    If the House and Senate both have the political will to pass a Bill, their differences will have to be worked out in a House Senate Conference Committee.
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2016
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.