See the name at the beginning of this essay? YEAH, I wrote this. If you steal it, my rabbit puppet will hunt you down with the tapping software he placed on your cell phone. It won’t be pretty. AND YOU’LL FAIL AT LIFE. Besides, this essay could have been written a lot better. REMEMBER: You’re being watched. Well, actually, listened to. That microphone on your phone picks up a LOT.
So, here’s my attempt at a Rogerian essay. (Pick a topic with two sides, explain the sides objectively, and find the middle ground! Consensus!)
Katy St. Germain
English 102
13 April 2010
Cell Phone Tapping
Cell phone tapping is argued to be a both beneficial and detrimental source of information. Those who agree with cell phone tapping argue for protection, safety/security, needed policy enforcement, and legal protection. On the other hand, anti-tappers are concerned about the abuses of tapping. Stalkers, hackers, identity thieves, and terrorists all can obtain this technology easily, inexpensively, and in some cases, legally. Cell phone tapping creates a struggle between the need of privacy and desire for safety.
There are many legitimate, well-intentioned purposes for cell phone tapping. Parents may need to track their children’s cell phone usage to ensure they do not end up with an astronomical bill. Businesses who offer company-provided phones need to know that their service is not being abused. Law enforcement agencies use tapping software in order to catch criminals. Cell phone tapping can also be for personal use. Some people simply want to back up important conversations they hold on their phones.
Overusing cell phones can result in expensive cell phone bills. Parents have the option of phone tapping so that they can keep track of how many texts or minutes their kids are using. It can come in handy for reminding their kids when they are close to their limit, rather than finding out how much they used when the bill comes in the mail.
Company-provided phones are intended for business-related communications. There are policies for the use of these phones, and tapping is essential to ensure that employees are following the requirements. If it is the company’s phone, it is their right to know its usage. Businesses also can use GPS coordinates to keep track of employees when they are away on business or work in a travel-related field.
Cell phone tapping has many functions in law enforcement. Child predators, terrorists, and other criminals can be caught or kept under observation in order to protect our society. In several cases the FBI has used cell phone tapping to listen in to alleged mobsters (Broache and McCullagh).
Finally, tapping is a valuable solution for backing up someone’s cell phone use. In personal situations, one might save important conversations or texts for future reflection. Businesses find this handy for legal protection and keeping track of customers, information, or commitments.
There are several reasons why some people have a distaste for cell phone tracking. Stalking is now made much simpler. Hackers and identity thieves can easily take advantage of this software. Terrorists and criminals could use it against law enforcement. Not only is phone tapping software available to everyone, it is also inexpensive. Bob Segall and his fellow Channel 13 News staff did an investigation on cell phone tapping and found more than twelve companies selling this software from $60-$3,000. Sixty dollars is a small price to pay for revenge or terrorism. Beyond the fears of criminals and terrorists, there is also the concern for privacy.
If someone is holding a grudge or wishes to stalk a person, they can easily use phone tapping to aid their endeavor. As long as the phone is charged, stalkers can track precise GPS coordinates from the phone (Segall). When the victim talks on the phone, a text message alerts the stalker. They then can listen in to the conversation in real time or a recording of the phone call. Sent and received text messages can also be forwarded to the stalker.
The perpetrator must first place the software or bug inside the phone. Once it has been installed, the software can be difficult to remove. When a woman was in the process of divorcing her husband, he had installed cell phone tapping software onto her iPhone. Even when she got a new phone, the software spread to the phone when iTunes synched her programs (Sileo).
Hackers and identity thieves can take personal or critical information with the use of cell phone tapping software. If a cell phone is on, it can be used as a microphone/“remote listening device”. In some cases, the device can be turned on even if the phone is powered down (Broache and McCullagh). There is a concern that enemies can listen in to soldier’s phone conversations if they have the opportunity to plant the software inside the phone. Troop locations and strategic information could be overheard and pose a great threat to our national security.
There are many necessary uses for cell phone tapping, but abusing the method is still a concern. In order to protect both the citizen’s privacy and security, phone tapping must become more limited. The software should be restricted to certain types of use and features. Parents wanting to track children’s cell phone usage should not have the option to listen in to their kid’s phone calls. Employees need to be aware that their activity is being surveyed. Those who want to back up their cell phone activity may need to prove ownership of the cell phone in order to get the service. If ownership had to be established and the software was harder to obtain, there would be a significant decrease in its use for stalking and hacking.
A few restrictions put upon cell phone tapping can help provide both privacy and security. These boundaries will help protect the individual as well as our nation. The benefits to law enforcement, business management, and personal use can still continue without the undesirable consequences of hackers and terrorists.
Works Cited
Broache, Anne, and Declan McCullagh. “FBI Taps Cell Phone Mic As Eavesdropping Tool.”
CNET News. CNET, 1 Dec. 2006. Web. 14 April 2010.
Sileo, John. “Cell Phone Tapping: Are You At Risk?” ProSolutions, 27 Oct. 2009. Web. 14 April
2010.
Segall, Bob. “Tapping Your Cell Phone.” Eyewitness News. WTHR, 13 Nov. 2008. Web. 18
April 2010.
Not perfect, but will have to do.
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