In a recent article in ZDNet, a leading technology publication, we see the headline,
“US cell carriers are selling access to your real-time phone location data”
As, “The New York Times” also reported cellphone records from Securus Technologies was allegedly used by a Mississippi County, Mo. deputy sheriff to track people’s cellphone locations including those of some other police officers without a warrant. The deputy has pled not guilty to charges filed in federal and Mo. state courts.
Allegedly, the deputy used data from Securus Technologies, a company contracted by thousands of jails and prisons across the county to monitor inmate calls. The company reportedly has access to cellphone call records for millions of other non-prison users from major carriers.
The headline for the, “New York Times” article reads,
“Service Meant to Monitor Inmates’ calls Could Track You, Too”
Securus Technologies reportedly sells cellphone records to subscribers in North America. In an odd twist of law, governments are required to obtain search warrants for this information, but private sale of this data is legal. At least one other similar service claims it has access to cellphone location data for a number of providers in the U.S. and Canada.
Callphone Location Records Available for Sale
These articles point to the reality that with the right connections, anyone including a stalker can access your cellphone location records to include real-time reports of where you are minute by minute.
Cellphone Use and Safety
Cellphones are now a part of virtually everyone’s life. Most of us check our phones for calls, text messages, and emails multiple times a day.
Cellphones can be a vital tool to summons help if you find yourself in a threatening situation. See my blog post on this FREA site, “STAY SAFE: Use Your Cell Phone as a Safety Tool” published on October 9, 2017 Link: http://bit.ly/2se46bV.
My Current Cellphone Safety Recommendations
Here are some tips to help you use cellphones safely:
Get and use a Google Voice phone number. Give the Google Voice number out rather than your real carrier based phone number. If you are getting unwanted calls, you can easily change your Google Voice number. Learn how to get and use a Google Voice number by going to http://bit.ly/2koPrHi. In addition, use a Gmail or other free email address for social email exchanges.
Turn off location identification permissions in every app that asks to track your location unless there is an immediate need to have the service on such as when you use GPS map navigation. This will not stop location tracking by your cellphone provider and Securus Technologies, but it will help stop tracking by another method. See the “GIZMODO” article at http://bit.ly/2IMP5ck.
Leave your phone on at the ready if you are in any potentially risky situation or there are other compelling reasons to have it immediately available. Otherwise, turn your phone off.
Don’t give your cellphone to someone to use or leave it unattended in a club or other location. There are remote spyware apps that can be easily downloaded and hidden on your cellphone. See http://bit.ly/2kqqP15.
If you are being stalked, file a police report immediately. Take extra care at home, school, work, while shopping, and every other location.
Finally, I encourage you to listen to your intuition - your gut. If someone or some situation doesn’t feel right, trust your intuition and take action to stay safe.
Stephen Carter
Stress Solutions, LLC | www.EFT-MD.com
Email: SafeLivingToday@gmail.com
Stephen Carter is a former Chief of Police, Corporate Security Director and safely leader for one of the world's largest financial services companies. He is now the CEO of Stress Solutions, LLC, a company dedicated to helping people enhance physical and emotional wellbeing through stress mastery using meditation and energy related methods. He is the host of the Safe Living Today Internet radio show and podcast.