Senator raises concern over Apple, Google mapping 'spy planes' - Page 2

Schumer work on bring troops home and maybe people wont look to cause us harm here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suddenly Newton 

Only the government can spy on you with satellites and UAVs. How dare private companies collect geo data for commercial use. Let's insinuate that they're aiding the terrorists.

Isn't the Governement "the People of America"? Apple-Google Universal Inc. isn't.

I have, but I haven't taken any pictures ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkichline 

I thought it was a very cordial and common-sense letter. While I don't think it's going to be much of an issue, I can see some people getting very upset if they are caught nekid in there backyard. The use of hi-res satellite imagery could aide terrorist, but again, they could get that information elsewhere. Either way, it's good to think about these types of things and something that government should be thinking about.

I too feel the same way and that is why my concern is ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by NIZZARD 

But not so concerned about the government and law enforcement flying spy drones over the US?

the exact same as Nizzard. I do appreciate the Senator's concern for our privacy, I just wish it was not such hypocrisy in the stance by Schumer. After all it is Senator Schumer that pushed for the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (which allows drones to fly domestically).

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Originally Posted by Rot'nApple 

Meanwhile, government approved Drones criss-cross the Nation!

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+1

Of all the privacy invasions going on right now, THIS is what he's worried about??

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Originally Posted by jragosta 

The government is set up to serve and represent the People and only has the rights granted to it by the People.

And it doesn't even really do that anymore either.

Quote:

Originally Posted by techno 

I too feel the same way and that is why my concern is ...

the exact same as Nizzard. I do appreciate the Senator's concern for our privacy, I just wish it was not such hypocrisy in the stance by Schumer. After all it is Senator Schumer that pushed for the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (which allows drones to fly domestically).

Fascinating... why would they want to do that, aren't these things supposed to hit the enemy during wars?

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Originally Posted by jkichline 

I can see some people getting very upset if they are caught naked in there backyard.

Does anyone know the co-ordinates for the Playboy Mansion? LOL

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Originally Posted by stompy 

One of the biggest in the shed.

He wants an Apple to get off of his lawn?

The typical cranky old man has now started getting mad at the fruit.

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Originally Posted by MJ1970 

 

And it doesn't even really do that anymore either.

Can't be sure if Schumer is really upset for the people, or because nobody wants to photograph him in the nude.

Did anyone bother to tell this man that we already HAVE LAWS protecting sun-bathing people on rooftops and that Google has already had to take down such photos on Google Street Maps?

Did he get upset at all the government cameras everywhere doing the same thing -- or those stupid scanners at the airport that "trust us" nobody will see and ogle images from their clothes dissolving technology?

Of all the things he could be doing -- THIS is the issue for him to get grumpy about? Someone must have paid this old goat to care.

Obviously, Schumer is OK with drones because;

1) They have auto-blur technology that hides naughty bits.

2) Privacy is important, except when we are ACTUALLY trying to destroy privacy rights.

3) The check from Raytheon didn't bounce like the one from Apple.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eriamjh 

Dear Senator,
Don't worry. Your penis will only appear as one pixel using this technology.

LOL.

Don't tell Schumer about the new Apple "retina display" his pixel-sized penis will be even more hidden. It will be tough to rant on C-Span; "They should respect privacy -- and when they aren't -- they should be enhancing the splendor of Schumer junior. Damn those Apple's -- get off of my lawn!"

Shove it, Schumer! I swear - one of the last useless Senators in DC!

There's an app for that.
 

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Originally Posted by Mechanic 

. . . . Current weather satellites can read the name on a pack of smokes from 150 miles up and military satellites are 100 times more sofisticated than they are. . . .

First, 150 miles up is almost atmospheric reentry. Weather satellites with millimeter resolution? Military remote sensing 100X more sophisticated than that?

I don't think you have even the slightest idea of what you think you're talking about.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jragosta 


If you want to put a stop to it, change the law - you're in the Senate.

No, this is the wrong way to do it.  What you are asking for is more government control.

While the Senator's expectations might seem dramatic to us reading this here, it's by no means unwarranted, nor is it unfair.  In every sense, it's what the government should do before passing laws.  They should ask that private companies take things into consideration that might affect their constituents.  And don't believe for a minute that the senator was alone in coming up with this.  Sure, it might seem like something petty scare mongering, but look at what he's asking:

He's asking for considering and better understanding.  He's asking for awareness.

While we laugh at the 4" remark, consider for a minute what would happen to someone still in the closet, making love to their partner in the privacy of their fenced in backyard?  Now, is it too much to ask that Google or Apple, or whoever else, present the community with some level of notification?

He's asking, and making reasonable requests.  This is the start of a discussion.

So really, you have a choice.

A simple letter or a law.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jragosta 


Actually, he's just plain wrong.
Legally, the issue about photographing someone in a public place has been well documented. If you are outdoors, there is generally no expectation of privacy (with a few exceptions). The law has been well established and affirmed all the way to the Supreme Court.
Now, if Apple and Google are doing something against the law (as in violating one of the exceptions to the above principle), then they should be punished. But asking them to not photograph public places because some senator wants to buy votes doesn't make sense. They have a right to do anything that the law allows. If you want to put a stop to it, change the law - you're in the Senate.
Oh, I guess that's it. The Senate doesn't want to change the law. It's a backdoor attempt to accomplish something that the Senate doesn't agree with. Pound sand.

The "no expectation of privacy in a public place" does not extend to private backyards and the like.     I have no problem with Apple and others photographing public streets.  I don't even think they should have to blur our faces when we're on a public street.    I have no problem with them photographing anything that can easily be seen from the street at any resolution.    But I agree that there's a privacy issue when backyards and the like are included and in some cases, I do believe there's a terrorism issue as well.     And as technology evolves and resolution continues to improve and they provide viewing at any angle, they'll essentially be "looking in our windows" and I have a problem with that as well.

So while I don't agree with Schumer completely, I believe his letter was well-intentioned.     And if you can get companies to agree without having to pass new laws, why bother passing new laws?  Should we only do the right thing when it's a law?

It's amazing how many people on this site are willing to give up their privacy to Apple just because it's Apple.    

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoetmb 

The "no expectation of privacy in a public place" does not extend to private backyards and the like.

Actually, it does. If it's visible from public places it's fair game. Since people do not own air rights, and an ariel view is an accessible public area, within reason, it also is fair game. Not sure I like it, but, there it is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoetmb 

It's amazing how many people on this site are willing to give up their privacy to Apple just because it's Apple.    

 

I think not. It has nothing to do with Apple or not Apple. After all, Google has done essentially the same thing for years. What's amazing is how now that it's Apple, who has a good record of honoring privacy, you object to it because it's Apple.

Personally I think our privacy is slipping away in many directions faster than we can keep up. But I don't blame it on Apple.Frankly Google, FaceBook, online ad companies, and credit card companies do far more intrusive things than this every day, you just don't notice it. BTW, in Illinois, it's currently a fellony to videotape or record a police officer, even in a public place, even if he's asking for a bribe or killing someone. I doubt it's constitutional at the state or Federal level, but it's currently the law.

The Senator adresses his letter to both Google and Apple, major players of the map business.

Back in 2004 I was taking drafting and GIS courses. One project I did was to take an actual rail car chlorine spill and model it using software. I then showedhow that spill would have affected my own city. I even contacted the EPA for information on the size and location of the hole in the tank car. In doing on line research on tank cars (size, volume, thickness) some sites had all the information available. Some sites (railroad companies) had removed the information after 9/11. Like that would automatically remove all knowledge of tank car specifications. Heck, even the EPA was glad to help once I explained who I was and what I was doing. I think I even sent a copy of my project to the EPA contact. I even presented my project to the local emergency planning committee and the fire department. Some of them seemed impressed and no one worried that I might be a terrorist.

Unbelievable, concerned for privacy!? Surely not the same Senator Schumer that was a signatory to the Defense Authorization Act? The one allowing for Military Drone Operations over the Continental United States. This from the Government of warranties wire taps and electronic  this and that. Oh and companies like Axciom, Google et-al get no mention....? 

From Apocalypse Now: Captain Willard "Oh man... the bullshit piled up so fast in Vietnam, you needed wings to stay above it. "

Sound familiar?