cops

Searching the Virtual Glove Compartment: Police Searches of Connected Cars

Searching the Virtual Glove Compartment: Police Searches of Connected Cars

You have just been pulled over by the police. After you hand the officer your license and registration, the officer notices your baseball cap with a picture of a marihuana leaf. The officer asks if you have been smoking marihuana, and you quickly answer “no.” Nonetheless, the officer places you in handcuffs and searches inside your vehicle. The officer finds no marihuana, so she uses your car’s touchscreen display to access your text messages and call history. The officer finds the following text-message exchange between you and a contact named “Rott”:
- How much did u put in the trunk?
- 850g, you’ll be good for a while
- Got it, thanks

Law Enforcement Requires the Ability to Access Passcode-Protected Smartphones; One Day, Your Safety May Depend On It Too

Law Enforcement Requires the Ability to Access Passcode-Protected Smartphones; One Day, Your Safety May Depend On It Too

The intersection between an individual’s right to privacy and the need for law enforcement to access encrypted data caught national spotlight on December 2, 2015, when a group of co-workers gathered for training at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California. Suddenly, a door swung open, and a single masked person wearing all black, and carrying a firearm stepped inside the room. Without a word, he began opening fire. Pandemonium ensued. A second shooter joined the attack, and together they fired over 100 rounds before fleeing in a black SUV, leaving 14 people dead and 22 people injured.