iFixit, the team that brings us detailed knowledge of the insides of all our favorite gadgets, has partnered with Wired to bring you a peek inside an FBI car-tracking device.
The device was loaned to iFixit by an unknown owner and is similar to the one Yasir Afifi found underneath his car. After it was discovered, Afifi’s friend Khaled posted photos of the device on reddit, where a reader identified it as an Orion Guardian ST820, which is made by a company that deals exclusively with law enforcement.
The FBI GPS Tracking device consists of a: Battery pack, GPS antenna, Transmitter/receiver unit, and a Magnetic mounting bracket.
Components and Functionality
iFixit explains:
The components of the system are all attached to the tracked vehicle with extremely powerful magnets. Some were so stubbornly attached that they ripped out of the mounting brackets to forever remain stuck on the undercarriage of the host vehicle.
The tracking device is powered by four lithium-thionyl chloride (Li-SOCl2) D cell batteries, and each cell is around 13,000 mAh, which iFixit explains is around double the capacity of the new Apple iPad 2 battery. This high capacity ensures that the device can operate for extended periods without needing a battery replacement, making it ideal for long-term surveillance operations.
The GPS antenna is responsible for receiving signals from satellites to determine the precise location of the vehicle. This data is then transmitted to the receiver unit, which processes the information and sends it to the monitoring agency. The transmitter/receiver unit is the core of the device, handling both the reception of GPS signals and the transmission of location data to the FBI or other law enforcement agencies.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
The use of such tracking devices by law enforcement agencies raises significant legal and ethical questions. In the United States, the Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Jones (2012) that attaching a GPS device to a vehicle and using it to monitor the vehicle’s movements constitutes a search under the Fourth Amendment. This means that law enforcement agencies typically need a warrant to use such devices legally.
However, the ruling also left some gray areas, particularly concerning the duration of surveillance and the expectations of privacy in different contexts. For instance, while a warrant might be required for long-term tracking, shorter-term use of such devices might not always necessitate judicial oversight. This ambiguity continues to be a topic of debate among legal scholars, privacy advocates, and law enforcement officials.
Moreover, the ethical implications of using tracking devices extend beyond legal considerations. There is an ongoing discussion about the balance between national security and individual privacy rights. While these devices can be instrumental in tracking suspects and preventing crimes, their potential for misuse and the invasion of privacy cannot be overlooked. Transparency, oversight, and clear guidelines are essential to ensure that the use of such technology aligns with democratic values and human rights.
The teardown of the FBI tracking device by iFixit provides valuable insights into the technology used by law enforcement for surveillance purposes. It also highlights the importance of understanding the legal and ethical frameworks that govern the use of such devices. As technology continues to evolve, so too must our approaches to privacy, security, and the rule of law.
Source: iFixit
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