By: Zach McCormick
3/23/14
Mike Elgan's piece titled "How an Under-Appreciated iOS 7 Feature Will Change the World" outlines how a new software tweak in Apple's iOS 7.1 will allow users to communicate with each other without a traditional internet connection.
If your eyes are starting to glaze over, don't worry; I'm not smart enough to get into a technical discussion on the why this stuff works. Yet I think Mr. Elgan is spot on with his assertion that this type of technology will "change the world", especially in democratic republics.
If this tech lives up to its potential, then each cell phone basically acts as a miniature cellphone tower and repeats the signal to other cell phones in range. The more users, the larger the network. So for example, if all the cell phone towers and all the internet connections in a given area were disabled (like when a hurricane hits), people using this type of tech could still anonymously communicate in short to medium ranges as long as enough users were present.
Elgan's piece focuses on the iPhone's new ability to accomplish this with an app called "Firechat". Firechat's interface looks very much like most other messaging apps and, although there is room for improvement, its simple to use.
What does this have to do with democracy? Well, history has shown us that the preservation of liberty depends on communication which is free from censorship. The recent events in the middle east are proof that when communication is centrally controlled it is vulnerable to the most powerful interests who have the ability to control that communication and so repress liberty. (For ex: Twitter access in Turkey restricted).
As with every instance where people are free to say what they want without consequence, there will be some 'political incorrectness'. However, the whole point of the 1st Amendment is that we should be free to say what we want and be willing to grow skin thick enough to deal with the words that hurt.
A blog by attorney Zach McCormick covering topics ranging from angry anteaters to zombie zoologists.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Florida Police Spying NSA Style?
By: Zach McCormick
4/8/14
Florida police departments appear to be following the example set by the NSA recently, as evidenced by recent reports by Florida ACLU attorney Nathan Freed Wessler, that the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) has used technology that is capable of intercepting cell phone communications of innocent Floridians without warrants. These devices are commonly referred to as "Stingrays" and are designed to intercept cellular data by acting as middle men between peoples' cell phones and cell phone towers.
As justification for its actions, TPD cited a non-disclosure clause in its contract with the device manufacturer. The apparent implication being that civil contracts trump the US and Florida Constitutions.
As it happened, the Tallahassee Police Department intentionally chose not to disclose the fact that this type of technology was being used during their investigations. However, according the Mr. Wessler's piece, TPD is committed to rectifying any wrongdoing on its part associated with misuse of the technology.
That might otherwise be the end of the story, but it appears as if this was simply the tip of the iceberg as evidenced by an even more unsettling stance that the City of Sunrise has taken.
In contrast with the Tallahassee example of reluctant, ultimate disclosure, the City of Sunrise refused to even confirm or deny the mere existence of records relating to the City's ownership and general use of the these devices. (Their response to Mr. Wessler's public records request can be found here). Fortunately for freedom loving Floridians, Mr. Wessler is a legal beast and he knows his stuff.(As evidenced by his brutally accurate response which can be found here).
Not only did Mr. Wessler basically inform counsel for the City of Sunrise that they've misinterpreted the law, but he points out (humorously I might add), that the City has already confirmed that they own at least one Stingray.
It seems that Mr. Wessler has pulled on a thread that could unravel into a tangled mass of unpleasant discoveries about how Florida police agencies have been going about securing evidence in their investigations.
Regardless of how these two individual cases are resolved, it seems clear that even the state level actors are jumping on the widespread, warrantless bandwagon.
4/8/14
Florida police departments appear to be following the example set by the NSA recently, as evidenced by recent reports by Florida ACLU attorney Nathan Freed Wessler, that the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) has used technology that is capable of intercepting cell phone communications of innocent Floridians without warrants. These devices are commonly referred to as "Stingrays" and are designed to intercept cellular data by acting as middle men between peoples' cell phones and cell phone towers.
As justification for its actions, TPD cited a non-disclosure clause in its contract with the device manufacturer. The apparent implication being that civil contracts trump the US and Florida Constitutions.
As it happened, the Tallahassee Police Department intentionally chose not to disclose the fact that this type of technology was being used during their investigations. However, according the Mr. Wessler's piece, TPD is committed to rectifying any wrongdoing on its part associated with misuse of the technology.
That might otherwise be the end of the story, but it appears as if this was simply the tip of the iceberg as evidenced by an even more unsettling stance that the City of Sunrise has taken.
In contrast with the Tallahassee example of reluctant, ultimate disclosure, the City of Sunrise refused to even confirm or deny the mere existence of records relating to the City's ownership and general use of the these devices. (Their response to Mr. Wessler's public records request can be found here). Fortunately for freedom loving Floridians, Mr. Wessler is a legal beast and he knows his stuff.(As evidenced by his brutally accurate response which can be found here).
Not only did Mr. Wessler basically inform counsel for the City of Sunrise that they've misinterpreted the law, but he points out (humorously I might add), that the City has already confirmed that they own at least one Stingray.
It seems that Mr. Wessler has pulled on a thread that could unravel into a tangled mass of unpleasant discoveries about how Florida police agencies have been going about securing evidence in their investigations.
Regardless of how these two individual cases are resolved, it seems clear that even the state level actors are jumping on the widespread, warrantless bandwagon.
Monday, March 3, 2014
An Introduction
Welcome Folks,
My name is Zach McCormick and I am an attorney based out of Tavares located in beautiful Lake County Florida. I wanted to take a brief moment to introduce myself and warn everyone in advance that I have been known to ramble on about just about every topic known to man.
To be fair, I do end up talking more about firearms rights as well as US Constitutional issues in general and of course, current political and financial events. If I haven't put you to sleep just yet, hold on... I've been told that I am a marginally addictive alternative to most over the counter sleep aids.
The truth is, I like to talk about current events because I really care about how this country is progressing and am deeply interested in doing what I can to make sure the destination is one that preserves our rights. Its an idealistic stance I admit, but its one I have held for a while now and I believe its correct.
I am a libertarian too, (in case that hadn't already become clear). Before, you ask, yes... I do believe in government and laws and order etc... What I do NOT believe in is the notion that government is entitled to make moral choices for its citizens. You'll probably see this theme pop up quite a bit and if you have an extra tinfoil hat to send along, I can give it a good home.
Thats all for now,
-Zach
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