The FBI shut down 3,000 GPS-based devices this week in a response to a court case ruling decided on Jan 23.
The U.S. Department of Justice is now dispatching officials to remove the devices, which were not authorized by warrant to be attached to vehicles.
In United States vs. Jones, the FBI stuck a tracking device under a car owned by Antoine Jones — a nightclub owner and operator — living in Maryland.
Officials started using visual and GPS surveillance after suspecting him of trafficking narcotics, according to Supreme Court documents.
Local officers physically watched over the nightclub, installed a camera outside of the building, wiretapped his cellular phone and attached a GPS device to his Jeep Grand Cherokee. A warrant was issued for the installation of the GPS device within the District of Columbia within 10 days.
However, the GPS was installed on the 11th day and outside the District of Columbia. Over a 28-day period, Jones’ vehicle was tracked.
Watch the video above to see how this decision affects you and what the FBI is doing now to revise GPS guidelines and policies.
Do you think the FBI should be allowed to track supposed criminals by using GPS technology without warrants? Let us know in the comments.
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