Hearings at the Texas Legislature were live tweeted by Gregory Foster for EFF-Austin and TxEPC.
Public Hearing: Texas SB786 and HB1608
Cellphone tracking legislation.
Storified by Jon Lebkowsky· Wed, Mar 27 2013 08:47:46
#HB1608 on cellphone geolocation #privacy will be heard by the Criminal Jurisprudence cmte; today’s schedule: <a href="http://t.co/b4WI9sdEJo" class="">bit.ly/X9qfVr</a> #txlegeEFF-Austin
Next, #TxLege Senate Criminal Justice Committee hears Sen. Hinojosa’s [ @TxChuy ] #SB786 on cell geolocation #privacy <a href="http://t.co/M9opxgGYeG" class="">bit.ly/11IHTy2</a>EFF-Austin
Sen. Whitmire asks Sen. Hinojosa to explain why there is a problem; acknowldeges it’s a good tool, but get a warrant. #TxLege #SB786EFF-Austin
Sen. Whitmire, Hinojosa, Rodriguez & Schwertner are in attendance at the #TxLege Senate Criminal Justice Cmte hearing <a href="http://t.co/3KdTO5NzxK" class="">bit.ly/16fG3Yi</a>EFF-Austin
Scott McCollough is up speaking from the small telecom perspective. #TxLege #SB786EFF-Austin
Scott McCollough points out that the rules are unclear; we should establish warrant as a requirement. #TxLege #SB786EFF-Austin
Matt Henry speaking on behalf of @EFFaustin at #TxLege in support of #SB786.EFF-Austin
Sen. Schwertner asks Matt Henry whether any other states have passed a warrant requirement for cell geolocation data; no, #Texas is first.EFF-Austin
Christopher Soghoian [ @csoghoian ] is called to testify on behalf of @ACLU in favor of #SB786: <a href="http://t.co/dZj6Eb4KoP" class="">bit.ly/gWIds3</a> #TxLegeEFF-Austin
.@csoghoian’s Ph.D. dissertation: "The Spies We Trust: Third Party Service Providers & Law Enforcement Surveillance": <a href="http://t.co/onJ5r1BE33" class="">bit.ly/YSbscU</a>EFF-Austin
.@csoghoian points out historical data is increasingly as accurate as realtime geolocation data due to tower density. #TxLege #SB786EFF-Austin
.@csoghoian points out that as the cost of surveillance drops, the importance of the law protecting us increases. #TxLege #SB786EFF-Austin
Alan Butler [ @AlanInDC ] was called to testify on behalf of @EPICprivacy on #SB786: <a href="http://t.co/955zake13x" class="">bit.ly/15rzvVZ</a> #TxLegeEFF-Austin
We’ve moved to those against the bill; Brian Tabor from the Dallas PD is up now: <a href="http://t.co/BpSa1GE20X" class="">bit.ly/14mtyf3</a> #TxLege #SB786EFF-Austin
Dallas PD requires a court order to access billing information or subscriber data. #TxLege #SB786EFF-Austin
Jimmy Taylor of Houston PD asserts redaction of names of undercover officers in unsealed warrants would be onerous. #TxLege #SB786EFF-Austin
HPD’s Taylor wants a "balanced approach to reformation" that includes law enforcement voices. #TxLege #SB786EFF-Austin
Next up, Harris County Asst. DA Tammy Thomas, testifying against #SB786: <a href="http://t.co/hbPWV5nWcz" class="">bit.ly/YSeNsy</a> #TxLegeEFF-Austin
Harris County Asst. DA says they follow a court order standard for historical cellphone location data. #TxLege #SB786EFF-Austin
Harris County Asst. DA says they gathered subscriber data on 700 cases in 2012. #TxLege #SB786EFF-Austin
At the request of Harris County DA, US Marshal Service Steve Lowenstein, Technical Operations group: <a href="http://t.co/WcevuDQAFO" class="">linkd.in/YSfAK7</a> #TxLege #SB786EFF-Austin
US Marshal Steve Lowenstein says we are committing a business transaction with a cellphone tower when we dial a call. #TxLege #SB786EFF-Austin
US Marshall Steve Lowenstein estimates 250K total requests for cell geolocation data nationally. #TxLege #SB786EFF-Austin
US Marshall Lowenstein asserts "there will be a cost/benefit analysis" for pursuit of crimes if warrants are required. #TxLege #SB786EFF-Austin
The #TxLege House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee is now convening; schedule: <a href="http://t.co/b4WI9sdEJo" class="">bit.ly/X9qfVr</a> #HB1608EFF-Austin
#TxLege CrimJur Cmte is chaired by @AbelHerrero (D, TX-34) Nueces county (west Corpus Christi); website: <a href="http://t.co/g8Nc7AonDc" class="">bit.ly/XFkRVW</a>EFF-Austin
#TxLege CrimJur Cmte is vice-chaired by @Stefani_Carter (R TX-102) N. Dallas, Richardson, Addison counties; website: <a href="http://t.co/TlgQTdpmfe" class="">bit.ly/14tTPs6</a>EFF-Austin
While waiting for #HB1608, the other #TxLege House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee members in attendance tonight…EFF-Austin
Rep. @LonBurnam (D, TX-90) whose district incl. Tarrant county (Fort Worth); website: <a href="http://t.co/dsX9d6XF68" class="">bit.ly/107ooOH</a> #TxLege #HB1608EFF-Austin
Rep. Terry Canales (D, TX-40, @TerryCanales40) Hidalgo county (Edinburg); website: <a href="http://t.co/ugt8Y9WLKV" class="">bit.ly/XbH1mZ</a> #TxLege #HB1608EFF-Austin
Rep. Bryan Hughes (R, TX-5, @RepHughes) counties north of Tyler (Mineola); website: <a href="http://t.co/DINqa5avr8" class="">bit.ly/107oRjU</a> #TxLege #HB1608EFF-Austin
Rep. Jeff Leach (R, TX-67, @LeachForTexas) Collin county (Plano); website: <a href="http://t.co/x1EIDnFRQe" class="">bit.ly/107p2M5</a> #TxLege #HB1608EFF-Austin
Rep. Joe Moody (D, TX-78, @MoodyForElPaso) El Paso; website: <a href="http://t.co/dekrw1MBEI" class="">bit.ly/107pgCQ</a> #TxLege #HB1608EFF-Austin
Rep. Matt Schaefer (R, TX-6, @MattForTexas) Smith county (Tyler); website: <a href="http://t.co/uroPATbGUj" class="">bit.ly/107poSP</a> #TxLege #HB1608EFF-Austin
Rep. Steve Toth (R, TX-15, @Toth_4_Texas) Montgomery county (The Woodlands); website: <a href="http://t.co/Wf59WWm8EZ" class="">bit.ly/XbI1r0</a> #TxLege #HB1608EFF-Austin
.@x684867 Agreed, as a citizen lobbyist new to #TxLege I appreciate the Reps staying late to hear the bills scheduled. #HB1608EFF-Austin
.@x684867 See our post on participating in #TxLege House public hearings re: provisions for remote & video testimony: <a href="http://t.co/l3YKSYPpwq" class="">bit.ly/YSINEF</a>EFF-Austin
Next, #TxLege CrimJur Cmte hears #HB1608 re: warrants for law enforcement access to phone geolocation data: <a href="http://t.co/hYR3VfwJwG" class="">bit.ly/X9n1RZ</a> #privacyEFF-Austin
#HB1608 is filed by @RepHughes + 5 joint authors + 87 co-authors; that’s 93 of all 150 Texas Representatives: <a href="http://t.co/hYR3VfwJwG" class="">bit.ly/X9n1RZ</a> #TxLegeEFF-Austin
>@RepHughes begins his presentation of #HB1608 by citing the 4th Amendment & seguing to a visual presentation. #TxLegeEFF-Austin
>@RepHughes presents the Cmte substitutes, incl. extensions to the 180-day warrant unsealing rqmt. #TxLege #HB1608EFF-Austin
>@RepHughes distinguishes btw Pen Regs (calls out), Trap & Trace Devices (calls in), mobile tracking devices (US v. Jones) #TxLege #HB1608EFF-Austin
Malte Spitz’s data was presented re: #HB1608; here’s his TED Talk "Your phone company is watching": <a href="http://t.co/d9nouNJe5E" class="">bit.ly/11JV7yg</a> #TxLegeEFF-Austin
#HB1608 Co-Author Rep. Schaefer [ @MattForTexas ] states we have a #privacy interest in our location data. #TxLegeEFF-Austin
Heather Fazio of @texans4acctgovt testified in support of #HB1608; website: <a href="http://t.co/naEsku3yGB" class="">bit.ly/11JW7Te</a> #TxLegeEFF-Austin
Tammy Thomas, Harris County Asst. District Attorney testifies against #HB1608; Tribune Open Data: <a href="http://t.co/hbPWV5nWcz" class="">bit.ly/YSeNsy</a> #TxLegeEFF-Austin
>@MattForTexas asks Harris Cty Asst. DA do we have an expectation of #privacy for geolocation data? She says no. #TxLege #HB1608EFF-Austin
>@MattForTexas points out geolocation & voice data create unique data points which individuals have a #privacy interest in. #TxLege #HB1608EFF-Austin
Apparently, prior to the advent of mobile phones, we were in the "horse and buggy law enforcement" era. #TxLege #HB1608EFF-Austin
Harris Cty Asst. DA says realtime data raises the #privacy bar because of the geolocation level of accuracy… #TxLege #HB1608EFF-Austin
Rep. @stefani_carter now asking Harris Cty Asst. DA re: #HB1608’s definition of geolocation data. #TxLegeEFF-Austin
Rep. @Stefani_Carter stated she believes we have a #privacy interest in our geolocation data. #TxLege #HB1608EFF-Austin
Harris Cty Asst DA now speaking to concerns about redactions of informant names in unsealed warrants for cell geo data. #TxLege #HB1608EFF-Austin
Harris Cty Asst DA says the Cmte substitute to extend 6-month unseal deadline is still onerous on law enforcement. #TxLege #HB1608EFF-Austin
Next up, Matt Henry w/ @EFFaustin testifying in favor of #HB1608. #TxLegeEFF-Austin
Matt Henry makes point that cell geolocation records are not going to be getting any LESS accurate as more towers go up. #TxLege #HB1608EFF-Austin
Matt Henry draws a parallel btw #HB1608 & Right to Financial #Privacy Act of 1978 re: bank records: <a href="http://t.co/7qZOI3MY6U" class="">1.usa.gov/13vIJTO</a> #TxLegeEFF-Austin
Law enforcement seems to believe accuracy of geo data determines #privacy interest yet ignores continuous tech progress. #TxLege #HB1608EFF-Austin
Scott Henson, editor of Grits for Breakfast, is called to testify on behalf of @TxEPC in favor of #HB1608: <a href="http://t.co/JlWc4CAD3m" class="">bit.ly/107VEp3</a> #TxLegeEFF-Austin
Next up, Dallas PD’s Brian Tabor testifying against #HB1608; profile here: <a href="http://t.co/BpSa1GE20X" class="">bit.ly/14mtyf3</a> #TxLegeEFF-Austin
Scott McCollough, small telecom attorney is called to testify in favor of #HB1608. #TxLege #privacyEFF-Austin
Christopher Soghoian [ @csoghoian ] is called to testify on behalf of @ACLU in favor of #HB1608: <a href="http://t.co/dZj6Eb4KoP" class="">bit.ly/gWIds3</a> #TxLegeEFF-Austin
.@csoghoian dissertation "The Spies We Trust: 3rd Party Svc Providers & Law Enforcement Surveillance" <a href="http://t.co/onJ5r1BE33" class="">bit.ly/YSbscU</a> #TxLege #HB1608EFF-Austin
>@csoghoian addresses the accuracy of historical data, "It all changed w/ the iPhone" which propelled data usage. #TxLege #HB1608EFF-Austin
>@csoghoian explains Femtocells, which are more widely deployed than celltowers in the US; WikiPedia: <a href="http://t.co/ArLBO9rGUU" class="">bit.ly/WB3g6L</a> #TxLege #HB1608EFF-Austin
Ken Stanford now testifying on his own recognizance for #HB1608: "personal #liberty comes first." #TxLege #privacyEFF-Austin
Alan Butler [ @AlanInDC ] is called to testify on behalf of @EPICprivacy on #HB1608: <a href="http://t.co/955zake13x" class="">bit.ly/15rzvVZ</a> #TxLegeEFF-Austin
Margaret John, Texas Department of Insurance, reports they use administrative subpoenas to request geolocation information. #TxLege #HB1608EFF-Austin
Chapter 701 of the Texas Insurance Code provides the Commissioner w/ authority to pull geo data: <a href="http://t.co/WTBDdYMFJl" class="">bit.ly/107ZQoC</a> #TxLege #HB1608EFF-Austin
At the request of Harris County DA, US Marshal Service Steve Lowenstein testifying against #HB1608; LinkedIn: <a href="http://t.co/WcevuDQAFO" class="">linkd.in/YSfAK7</a> #TxLegeEFF-Austin
Thanks to @SamHouston83rd for pointing out US Marshal Steve Lowenstein is testifying ON #HB1608, not against. #TxLegeEFF-Austin
And that’s a wrap for #HB1608. Kudos to @RepHughes for doing such a great job under such trying conditions. #TxLegeEFF-Austin
