Tech

Secret Service bought access to cellphone location data

Published

6 months ago

August 17, 2020

The US Secret Service (USSS) signed a contract to access Locate X, a service that lets law enforcement track phone users’ locations. Motherboard published apparent confirmation of the deal this morning, following a Protocol report in March. The contract indicates that the USSS paid Virginia company Babel Street around $36,000 to add Locate X to a $2 million social media monitoring package.

Protocol’s report describes Locate X as a powerful tracking tool that aggregates data from popular phone apps, then lets buyers track the location history of devices that were active at a specific time and place. It reported that the Secret Service, US Customs and Border Patrol, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have all used the product. The USSS contract that Motherboard published, obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request, runs from 2017 to 2018. One former employee previously told Protocol that the USSS had used Locate X to seize illegal credit card skimmers installed at gas pumps in 2018.

Products like Locate X typically rely on data brokers who offer access to large amounts of theoretically anonymous user data, officially intended for marketers or other non-government entities. (In practice, it’s often possible to identify individual users.) They let law enforcement agents bypass getting a warrant and requesting data from companies — a process that provides more accountability and privacy.

Lawmakers and civil liberties advocates have criticized this strategy. In June, the House of Representatives opened a probe into Venntel, a different tracking company that’s worked with the Department of Homeland Security. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) also recently announced a new bill, called The Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale, which would ban these purchases. Wyden told Motherboard that his office has asked Babel Street for more details about how Locate X works but that the company has not answered questions.

Source : TheVergeRead More

Tech

Charge Your Phone Wirelessly With 50% off a Multifunctional LED Lamp

Published

2 weeks ago

February 10, 2021

theworldtrend

Best Tech Deals

Best Tech DealsThe best tech deals from around the web, updated daily.

When you’re ready to turn in for the night, you don’t want to forget to charge your phone— especially if your mobile device doubles as your alarm clock.

With this wireless charger lamp, you can make this crucial step of your nightly routine even easier by just setting your phone on the wireless charging pad and… well, that’s all there is to it!

Other functions include multiple lighting modes as well as a sleep timer option for auto shut-off of the light after 30 or 60 minutes.

This lamp can be yours in white for $18 if you clip the coupon on Amazon (it’s below the original $40 price) and add promo code ABC88699 at checkout.

G/O Media may get a commission

You can snag the black version for $20 using the same code—no coupon though, sorry.

Don’t sleep on this deal! Who knows how long stock or the coupon code will last?

Source

Tech

Keep That Hotdish Hot With 65% Off a Luncia Casserole Carrier, Only $11 With Promo Code

Published

2 months ago

December 22, 2020

theworldtrend

Best Home Deals

Best Home DealsThe best home, kitchen, smart home, and automotive deals from around the web, updated daily.

Luncia Double-Decker Dish Carrier | $11 | Amazon | Promo code SDDU9S7F

It has been a long time since the days we could safely have a potluck or other gatherings, but we have a fantastic deal perfect for once those times return. These double-decker Luncia dish carriers can be had for 65% off when you add promo code SDDU9S7F at checkout and clip the coupon on the site (it’s just below the price). These holders fit 9″x 13″ sized baking dishes.

That means you can insulate and keep two dishes of food warm for only $11 instead of $30. What’s more, your Luncia carrier will arrive by Christmas if you order today as a Prime member.

Just add promo code SDDU9S7F and clip the 5% off coupon to bring the price down to $11 for the blue or the grey option.

Grab this offer while it’s still around!

G/O Media may get a commission

Source

Tech

Conquer Your Pup’s Dander and Fur With $700 Off a Cobalt or Charcoal Bobsweep PetHair Plus Robot Vacuum

Published

4 months ago

November 1, 2020

theworldtrend

Best Home Deals

Best Home DealsThe best home, kitchen, smart home, and automotive deals from around the web, updated daily.

Bobsweep PetHair Plus Robot Vacuum & Mop (Cobalt) | $200 | Best Buy

Bobsweep PetHair Plus Robot Vacuum & Mop (Charcoal) | $200 | Best Buy

Allergies can be bad enough as the seasons change. Don’t let pet hair and dander add to that by vacuuming it up early and often. That chore is easier said than done— unless you have a robot vacuum to do the work for you. This lovely bright cobalt Bobsweep PetHair Plus robot vacuum and mop, only $200 today at Best Buy seems like an ideal option. That’s a whopping $700 off, by the way.

You can get the same deal for the charcoal version of the robot vac, too. This model is not only specially made for picking up pet hair, it self docks and charges when it’s finished with the work.

It also comes with a mop attachment, so it can take care of those kitchen floors for you as well. Grab it while it’s still available for this fantastic price!