RFID coming to get you...

[d0uche_n0zzle]

RFID tech turned into spy chips for clandestine surveillance (http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9070358&pageNumber=1)

"We're all pretty trackable to begin with. Anyone who has a cell phone can be tracked. If you have a cell, you're giving off a signal at all times," he added. "The thing about it is if you're living a clean life, there's nothing this stuff is really going to do to you. If you're not doing anything illegal, this isn't going to catch you. Is RFID going to catch you stealing? Absolutely it will."

While I agree a company has a right to prevent theft of their products on their property and time.

When does it cross the line and infringe upon the rights of the employee?

Should we all willingly submit to every invasion of our once scared right to privacy..."whaa"

[CougarHunter]

I want to buy a reader so I can see what all these damn chips say.

[Sinn Fein]

At my old job, my douchebag former boss wanted to institute GPS tracking (service company - we went to customer sites). Instead of putting it in the company vehicles, he was investigating solutions that used the built-in GPS in out company cell phones. At the time, I felt like the only employee with a brain because I was the only one who brought up the fact that this asshole could track us when we weren't on company time because we brought the cell phones home with us. I basically told him that if he went this route, the phone would be left at the office every day when I was done for the day. It was none of his fucking business what I did and where I went on my own time. At the time, I was enduring enough bullshit due to that job and wasn't about to tolerate any more of an encumberance on the rest of my life.

So, if a customer had an emergency situation during off-hours, I would be basically unreachable. Was he willing to pay that price?

Other guys started to echo the same sentiments.

The end result was that he abandoned this concept, partly because of our resistance and partly due to the cost.

Some time after I left, I found out he implemented vehicle-based GPS tracking mainly because his competitors had it, and couldn't live with someone else having something he didn't. After a few months, I understand he stopped even paying attention to it - even though it cost like $400 per vehicle to install and the service costs $50/vehicle per month.

[d0uche_n0zzle]

Maybe we should tag our politicians 24/7 for the test group.

[THE FEZ MAN]

my wife wonders why i keep my old triumph motorcycle around, i keep it for several reasons, mainly because its a colectors item, but also because it contains almost no electronics, well it has a condenser and a rectifier, thats it. for those that what to know, every thing that contains any electronic device it transmits RF frequency's that can be tracked, traced, and shut down buy EMP. so in theory, if i decide i want to "go away" forever i can leave my cell phone, credit cards and any thing that has a microphone or speaker behind and disappear if i want. well at least in my mind i can.....;) i have yet to figure out how to beat FLIR, but i do keep space blankets handy hoping that maybe they will work...

[d0uche_n0zzle]

Stealth Bag (http://www.stealthbag.com/Stealth-Main.htm)

Yep, it's getting real close to shooting time...

[roche]

At my old job, my douchebag former boss wanted to institute GPS tracking (service company - we went to customer sites). Instead of putting it in the company vehicles, he was investigating solutions that used the built-in GPS in out company cell phones. At the time, I felt like the only employee with a brain because I was the only one who brought up the fact that this asshole could track us when we weren't on company time because we brought the cell phones home with us. I basically told him that if he went this route, the phone would be left at the office every day when I was done for the day. It was none of his fucking business what I did and where I went on my own time. At the time, I was enduring enough bullshit due to that job and wasn't about to tolerate any more of an encumberance on the rest of my life.

So, if a customer had an emergency situation during off-hours, I would be basically unreachable. Was he willing to pay that price?

Other guys started to echo the same sentiments.

The end result was that he abandoned this concept, partly because of our resistance and partly due to the cost.

Some time after I left, I found out he implemented vehicle-based GPS tracking mainly because his competitors had it, and couldn't live with someone else having something he didn't. After a few months, I understand he stopped even paying attention to it - even though it cost like $400 per vehicle to install and the service costs $50/vehicle per month.

My work started doing that shit on our new Blackberries and it does suck. Luckily I can disable the GPS function in the options once 5:00 rolls around. :icon_mrgr

[THE FEZ MAN]

sold

[Sinn Fein]

My work started doing that shit on our new Blackberries and it does suck. Luckily I can disable the GPS function in the options once 5:00 rolls around. :icon_mrgr

My old boss tried telling us that. But, I did some detective work online and found out that this system he was investigating worked despite disabling the GPS at the phone. The way I understood it was that it utilized the 911/emergency GPS functionality. Other things I found indicated they downloaded a firmware upgrade as part of the system which made you think you were turning off the GPS, when in fact it really wasn't being disabled.

[THE FEZ MAN]

My old boss tried telling us that. But, I did some detective work online and found out that this system he was investigating worked despite disabling the GPS at the phone. The way I understood it was that it utilized the 911/emergency GPS functionality. Other things I found indicated they downloaded a firmware upgrade as part of the system which made you think you were turning off the GPS, when in fact it really wasn't being disabled.


yes, the only way to disable the GPS on any phone is to turn it off and take out the battery

[roche]

My old boss tried telling us that. But, I did some detective work online and found out that this system he was investigating worked despite disabling the GPS at the phone. The way I understood it was that it utilized the 911/emergency GPS functionality. Other things I found indicated they downloaded a firmware upgrade as part of the system which made you think you were turning off the GPS, when in fact it really wasn't being disabled.

My work uses Comet Tracker. Do you remember what he was looking into?

[Sinn Fein]

It was a while ago.. Like over 3 years ago. I don't remember. I just looked at their site. It damn well could have been that. It was for Nextel cell phones...

[roche]

It was a while ago.. Like over 3 years ago. I don't remember. I just looked at their site. It damn well could have been that. It was for Nextel cell phones...

It might be the same thing because my company uses Sprint..... :arrrh:

[mascan42]

At my old job, my douchebag former boss wanted to institute GPS tracking (service company - we went to customer sites). Instead of putting it in the company vehicles, he was investigating solutions that used the built-in GPS in out company cell phones. At the time, I felt like the only employee with a brain because I was the only one who brought up the fact that this asshole could track us when we weren't on company time because we brought the cell phones home with us. I basically told him that if he went this route, the phone would be left at the office every day when I was done for the day. It was none of his fucking business what I did and where I went on my own time. At the time, I was enduring enough bullshit due to that job and wasn't about to tolerate any more of an encumberance on the rest of my life.

So, if a customer had an emergency situation during off-hours, I would be basically unreachable. Was he willing to pay that price?

Other guys started to echo the same sentiments.

The end result was that he abandoned this concept, partly because of our resistance and partly due to the cost.

Some time after I left, I found out he implemented vehicle-based GPS tracking mainly because his competitors had it, and couldn't live with someone else having something he didn't. After a few months, I understand he stopped even paying attention to it - even though it cost like $400 per vehicle to install and the service costs $50/vehicle per month.
All of the current generation Nextel phones have GPS built-in. Luckily, my boss doesn't give a shit about tracking our location, so he never activated it. If he wants to know where we are, he calls us. Simple.

[Sinn Fein]

Since 2005, all cell phones were required to have GPS capability. The systems for using that for employee tracking are something an employer would have to purchase separately. It's not cheap.

Nextel has their own system that costs another $15/month per phone. But, again it's something extra - it's not part of the standard deal.

[roche]

Since 2005, all cell phones were required to have GPS capability. The systems for using that for employee tracking are something an employer would have to purchase separately. It's not cheap.

Nextel has their own system that costs another $15/month per phone. But, again it's something extra - it's not part of the standard deal.

From what I understand, 911 is the only group that can force it on if you turn it off.

[Sinn Fein]

I was just reading more stuff about how some of these services alter the phone so that the user thinks they are turning off the GPS tracking, when they really aren't. I wish I had bookmarked the page. I closed it before coming back here.

[roche]

I was just reading more stuff about how some of these services alter the phone so that the user thinks they are turning off the GPS tracking, when they really aren't. I wish I had bookmarked the page. I closed it before coming back here.

If you find that again I would love a link

[Sam_Adams]

I need to put a lead box in my truck so I can just drop the phone in there. Fuck tracking.

[LiddyRules]

Should we all willingly submit to every invasion of our once scared right to privacy..."whaa" But didn't you read? If you're not doing anything wrong, you have nothing to be afraid of!! (God I hate that.) I mean it's just corporations doing this, it's not like they have any power. [Anti Free Speech Argument Douche] It's private sector! The bill of rights shouldn't apply!![/AFSAD]

Here's a question to people like FezMan and others. How do you say no? A lot of us are in situations where we might not be able to say no to being tagged by our employers because we're in low level jobs or we're just starting out and have no leverage. Is there anyway to avoid this? Once this catches on, a large percentage of, if not most, companies will require it. And I doubt employers will have second thoughts about firing a newbie who stands up for what he believes is right.

I don't know why but this reminded me of a commercial a few years ago for some Portable Windows thing and the tagline was "Day 1: The World Is My Office" because now you can do all your precious spreadsheets on your blackberry. And it just made me think how there is no escape.

[THE FEZ MAN]

But didn't you read? If you're not doing anything wrong, you have nothing to be afraid of!! (God I hate that.) I mean it's just corporations doing this, it's not like they have any power. [Anti Free Speech Argument Douche] It's private sector! The bill of rights shouldn't apply!![/AFSAD]

Here's a question to people like FezMan and others. How do you say no? A lot of us are in situations where we might not be able to say no to being tagged by our employers because we're in low level jobs or we're just starting out and have no leverage. Is there anyway to avoid this? Once this catches on, a large percentage of, if not most, companies will require it. And I doubt employers will have second thoughts about firing a newbie who stands up for what he believes is right.

I don't know why but this reminded me of a commercial a few years ago for some Portable Windows thing and the tagline was "Day 1: The World Is My Office" because now you can do all your precious spreadsheets on your blackberry. And it just made me think how there is no escape.

im kind of unique in my skill set that i can pick and choose my jobs, for the time being, so i guess my suggestion would be to develop a skill that wont require you to be a slave to the mannnn mannnnn. ive always been a bit of a "free spirit" i dont even like answering my phone when my boss calls, and if it really were an issue i would just shut my phone off. if the person i work for doesnt trust me than i would rather not work for them, and if they feel the need to control my life to that level than im just going to find someware else to work. for most of my carrier ive been told that if i dont like the way things are run get the fuck out, there's two more guy's waiting for your spot..... ill just be one of those two guys..... yet, there's not two guys waiting for my job, at my skill level, they need three, to fill my spot..... even when i was an apprentice every time i got fired or left in the end the people that fucked me got the shaft in the end not me.

[Goober]

They can already track you by your cell phone signal Mahnnnnnnnnn! It is scary. Big Brother can always watch you.

I have google maps on my smartphone and it will triangulate your position with in 1000 ft. It is neat, but it also worries me.

[grail]

Simple faraday cage will render a cell phone, gps, or rfid reader incapable of reading. The easiest way to have one is to take a anti-static bag that electronics come in and re-use it. Metal fabric will also work.

[Goober]

Simple faraday cage will render a cell phone, gps, or rfid reader incapable of reading. The easiest way to have one is to take a anti-static bag that electronics come in and re-use it. Metal fabric will also work.

I wear tinfoil over my head so the government does not read my thoughts.

[d0uche_n0zzle]

You're just begging to be anally probed... :eekdroolA

[grail]

I wear tinfoil over my head so the government does not read my thoughts.

It has to be completely covered. Try cling wrap first then the tin foil. No holes or it doesn't work.

[CougarHunter]

The only way to disable the GPS in a modern phone is to remove the battery completely as Fez mentioned.

They found a missing dead chick here last summer because the guy that snagged her and killed her failed to do just that. They found her in a lake and the damn phone still sent out the ping.

[TheDrip]

Am I safe with my phone?

http://shaide.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/80s-brick-cell-phone.jpg

[d0uche_n0zzle]

Am I safe with my phone?

http://shaide.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/80s-brick-cell-phone.jpg

Probably not. Considering, it's really a two pound brick of C4 with a cellphone trigger. :action-sm

[THE FEZ MAN]

Am I safe with my phone?

http://shaide.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/80s-brick-cell-phone.jpg

yes as a matter of fact you are, since the cell phone system no longer uses that technology

[Radioguy]

Simple faraday cage will render a cell phone, gps, or rfid reader incapable of reading. The easiest way to have one is to take a anti-static bag that electronics come in and re-use it. Metal fabric will also work.

That works for shoplifting too.