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Key takeaway: "Private searches are acceptable, but the introduction of cash payments, as well as the FBI having an official liaison with Best Buy suggests the
by Bartweiss 10y ago
Key takeaway: "Private searches are acceptable, but the introduction of cash payments, as well as the FBI having an official liaison with Best Buy suggests the searches aren't really "private." Instead, the FBI appears to be using private searches to route around warrant requirements."
The FBI is paying Geek Squad members for discoveries, not as direct employees. This has two awful impacts. First, it incentivizes searching every single computer touched, rather than just reacting to suspicions or FBI requests. Second, the 'commission' nature of the payments is being used to argue that these are "private searches" exempt from warrant requirements, which are only connected to the FBI after the fact (despite what is apparently a standing expectation of commission).
- JumpCrisscross 10y agoThe amounts are also concerningly small. How much would it cost to bribe one of these "unofficial deputies" to plant evidence?
- Shendare 10y agoExactly! How on Earth could you prove an offending image wasn't yours?
- voxic11 10y agoIn fact the case referenced in the article ran into this. The image was recovered from unassigned space on the drive and therefore there was not even any data about where it came from (that could be faked too but at least it gives you something to disprove).
- Bartweiss 10y agoHonestly, I've always been surprised that intelligence paychecks of all kinds aren't larger, for informants or agents. I know government salaries are generally constrained (especially for highly-skilled work), but surely one helpful step for fighting subversion is to insure that your employees are living comfortably?