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Actually, I think they had no intel. You NEED intel for a judge to order a subpoena—and if a subpoena was issued, the ISP would open their firehose, and overwhe

Actually, I think they had no intel. You NEED intel for a judge to order a subpoena—and if a subpoena was issued, the ISP would open their firehose, and overwhelm the FBI with evidence suggesting that there’s nothing to investigate. And having visited extremist sites a handful of times—even if advertantly—is probably not going to meet the threshold for a subpoena. If the FBI visited me and casually asked about my web history, I would casually ask them to pound sand (as should everyone!). But if the agent was accompanied with someone from my employer, I would eagerly cart up every single device in my home and offer to carry it out to their vehicle (as I fear most would). It smells like someone is taking massive investigative shortcuts, at very significant cost to the accused. Then again, I can’t even fathom the upside for the FBI.

germinalphrase 5y ago
My gut reaction is simply speed. Why sit at my desk for a few hours reading documents when I can a couple phone calls and be scary for 20 minutes to feel secure in saying “yep - not terrorists”. Or - you know - “weeeelp, I’ve been sitting at this desk all morning, let’s go talk to someone”.
- BLKNSLVR 5y ago
  As commenter below says: Power. Why spend the extra time and effort, let's just hit the road and totally and completely fuck at least one citizen's opinion of the entire system upon which their life and livelihood depends. Saves me a couple of hours, and the sun's out. Sold! Ironically, maybe this will actually radicalise the people they're investigating for radicalisation.
donw 5y ago
> Then again, I can’t even fathom the upside for the FBI. The upside is power. You yourself said as much: "If the agent was accompanied with someone from my employer, I would eagerly cart up every single device in my home and offer to carry it out to their vehicle." You fear them. Rightly so. The FBI has incredible power, backed by the full might of corporate media. To cross them is to be crushed. Why would they need a warrant, when Apple and Google climb over each other volunteer every scrap of your private information? Why take the time for a trial, when justice can more efficiently be served by both your employer and your union gleefully ruining you financially upon request? People have been demanding[1] this for years. Now it's here. [1] https://xkcd.com/1357/ https://xkcd.com/1357/
- MaxBarraclough 5y ago
  Apple have famously refused FBI requests. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FBI%E2%80%93Apple_encryption_dispute#Apple's_opposition_to_the_order https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FBI%E2%80%93Apple_encryption_d...

germinalphrase 5y ago

My gut reaction is simply speed. Why sit at my desk for a few hours reading documents when I can a couple phone calls and be scary for 20 minutes to feel secure in saying “yep - not terrorists”. Or - you know - “weeeelp, I’ve been sitting at this desk all morning, let’s go talk to someone”.

BLKNSLVR 5y ago
As commenter below says: Power. Why spend the extra time and effort, let's just hit the road and totally and completely fuck at least one citizen's opinion of the entire system upon which their life and livelihood depends. Saves me a couple of hours, and the sun's out. Sold! Ironically, maybe this will actually radicalise the people they're investigating for radicalisation.

donw 5y ago

> Then again, I can’t even fathom the upside for the FBI. The upside is power. You yourself said as much: "If the agent was accompanied with someone from my employer, I would eagerly cart up every single device in my home and offer to carry it out to their vehicle." You fear them. Rightly so. The FBI has incredible power, backed by the full might of corporate media. To cross them is to be crushed. Why would they need a warrant, when Apple and Google climb over each other volunteer every scrap of your private information? Why take the time for a trial, when justice can more efficiently be served by both your employer and your union gleefully ruining you financially upon request? People have been demanding[1] this for years. Now it's here. [1] https://xkcd.com/1357/ https://xkcd.com/1357/

MaxBarraclough 5y ago
Apple have famously refused FBI requests. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FBI%E2%80%93Apple_encryption_dispute#Apple's_opposition_to_the_order https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FBI%E2%80%93Apple_encryption_d...