![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
trysha.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
davis_squareFrom my last post, I followed this and did some research..
The Department of Homeland Security has given Cambridge (and other cities) a grant to install "shot spotter" technology around in urban areas.
My understanding is that this coming to Somerville soon.
This is a series of microphones placed on poles all across the city that constantly analyze the sounds in the area. Once the system detects a sound pattern that matches a "gunshot" it triangulates the location and sends this information to the police. It saves the recording of this event and the system operators have access to this recorded data.
The Cambridge police have assured us that this can only detect high decibel events.
However, this system is capable of recording voices (at least loud ones).
Now, I know that Cambridge and Somerville police are not plotting nefarious schemes here.
They are excited about cool new toys and cool ways of helping people.
Let's step back for a second.
The police are placing microphones across the city and then saying "trust us, we will only use this to help find gunshots". The good guys have this today.
As a software engineer I can make reasonable guesses as to how the system works. Let's just say that I am concerned.
The shot spotter website:
http://www.shotspotter.com/news/article/producers-blog-privacy-and-security-in-the-balance
Essentially says (paraphrased) "You have no reasonable expectation of privacy in a public area, you give your info to advertisers all the time anyway, so what does it matter".
The Department of Homeland Security has given Cambridge (and other cities) a grant to install "shot spotter" technology around in urban areas.
My understanding is that this coming to Somerville soon.
This is a series of microphones placed on poles all across the city that constantly analyze the sounds in the area. Once the system detects a sound pattern that matches a "gunshot" it triangulates the location and sends this information to the police. It saves the recording of this event and the system operators have access to this recorded data.
The Cambridge police have assured us that this can only detect high decibel events.
However, this system is capable of recording voices (at least loud ones).
Now, I know that Cambridge and Somerville police are not plotting nefarious schemes here.
They are excited about cool new toys and cool ways of helping people.
Let's step back for a second.
The police are placing microphones across the city and then saying "trust us, we will only use this to help find gunshots". The good guys have this today.
As a software engineer I can make reasonable guesses as to how the system works. Let's just say that I am concerned.
The shot spotter website:
http://www.shotspotter.com/news/article/producers-blog-privacy-and-security-in-the-balance
Essentially says (paraphrased) "You have no reasonable expectation of privacy in a public area, you give your info to advertisers all the time anyway, so what does it matter".
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Its like a giant wooden horse, left as a gift.
Date: 2014-06-18 01:04 am (UTC)Maybe I have attained a higher level of paranoia than most, but I think we have to consider the possibility that, quite aside from whatever capabilities the devices advertise, they may be carrying additional software (or even hardware) that only Feds know about and which are much more invasive or otherwise problematic than what makes it into the discussion.
I mean, I'm now at the point where if the DHS offered a grant for buying Acme brand shovels to fill pot holes -- or any shovels from the DHS Approved Vendors list -- I'd be like, "How do we know those shovels aren't bugged?"
Re: Its like a giant wooden horse, left as a gift.
Date: 2014-06-18 01:16 am (UTC)As bikergeek said.. Any technology that can be misused, eventually will be misused.
Re: Its like a giant wooden horse, left as a gift.
Date: 2014-06-19 12:43 am (UTC)england has wide cctv/micrphone coverage.
so does DC now. people have been listened too, and approached for having convos.
there's no reason why a new set of boxes going in can't have all kinds of goodies. the microphones i would expect to not only be very sensitive, but directional per node. the system could let anyone easily monitor on the street conversations. "triggering" (lol) the system via gun shot is another set of functions entirely.
we have a lot of rad sensors in place on highways and various bridges and city areas. they could add that. heck, a cornucopia of sensors! bring it. the police state is here.
#