Posted on 03/16/2011 1:56:57 AM PDT by LibWhacker
Richard Stallman: iPhones and Androids are 'Big Brother' tracking devices
Nearly three decades into his quest to rid the world of proprietary software, Richard Stallman sees a new threat to user freedom: smartphones.
"I don't have a cell phone. I won't carry a cell phone," says Stallman, founder of the free software movement and creator of the GNU operating system. "It's Stalin's dream. Cell phones are tools of Big Brother. I'm not going to carry a tracking device that records where I go all the time, and I'm not going to carry a surveillance device that can be turned on to eavesdrop."
Stallman firmly believes that only free software can save us from our technology, whether it be in cell phones, PCs, tablets or any other device. And when he talks about "free," he's not talking about the price of the software -- he's talking about the ability to use, modify and distribute software however you wish.
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Nearly three decades into his quest to rid the world of proprietary software, Richard Stallman sees a new threat to user freedom: smartphones.
"I don't have a cell phone. I won't carry a cell phone," says Stallman, founder of the free software movement and creator of the GNU operating system. "It's Stalin's dream. Cell phones are tools of Big Brother. I'm not going to carry a tracking device that records where I go all the time, and I'm not going to carry a surveillance device that can be turned on to eavesdrop."
(Excerpt) Read more at networkworld.com ...
Interesting, I found this:
PrisonPlanet Forum : Your CELL Phone can be turned on remotely to listen to your conversation
My cell is usually someplace that cant pick up sounds easily like in the glove compartment of my car.
“I’m not going to carry a tracking device that records where I go all the time, and I’m not going to carry a surveillance device that can be turned on to eavesdrop.”
A) This is not “The Dark Knight”
B) If you’re that concerned, take out the freakin’ battery when you’re not using it
“Nearly three decades into his quest to rid the world of proprietary software”
Part of me wishes civilization could go on holiday and private property disappear, allowing these guys to realize what a drag their “creative commons” utopia would be.
The best way to avoid detection is easy as pie. Just check out what drug dealers are doing.
Care to share for those of us out of the loop?
“Care to share for those of us out of the loop?”
I dunno. Just sayin’, they’re always in the forefront, from beepers to prepaid “throwaways.” It’s only natural they’d have the current answer, possessing, as they do, more immediate motivation than, “Better put on my tinfoil hat before Big Brother comes after me, I’m not sure why but for some reason.”
They are also easily intercepted...
lol
“Can you track me now??”
I guess you didn’t watch enough “24” did you? ;)
Any fugitive wannabe worth his salt knows you have to pull the battery out so the black helicopters cant find you.
I’m willing to be convinced, but I’d like somebody to explain how they turn on a cell phone remotely.
Never seen 24. No cable.
After a little bit of research it appears this is true of some models of phone and not others. Apparently the more sophisticated and complex the phone the more vulnerable it is.
Richard Stallman sees a new threat to user freedom: smartphones.This topic is ideal for the everything-is-socialism residue.
“Unless you constantly change your handset and number, they can track a prepaid as easily as a regular phone.”
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Paranoia is not a good thing.
I am not worried, anyway.
I have not been in the USSA since 2004.
The phones that I had in central Europe, and now in the
Philippines have never had a name or location connected with them.
I can go into any of a million shops, or roadside stands
and buy time. There is no name or ID associated with mobile phones that are not on contract, as in the USSA.
On top of that, I rarely use my phone, other then a few SMS
of no importance.
I do not think an inane SMS, saying “meet me at the house”,
would have any juicy value to the CIA.
Oh, Lordy. Me too. Sigh...
“We all have cell phones, so come on, let’s get real. We all have cell phones, so come on, let’s get real. Cell phones... Let’s get real.” - Weird Al Yankovic
Thanks for the ping. Sorry I didn’t reply right away. Trouble with the tinfoil hat.
Fun is where you find it!
You gotta know which cell.
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