An FBI-owned GPS tracking device was found on an American citizen's car. Image: avlxyz / Flickr / CC-BY-SA
When he went in for a quick oil change, U.S. citizen Yasir Afifi found something he could have never expected. A GPS tracking device was attached to his car. The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation has since demanded the GPS equipment back, and the ACLU has vowed to challenge the FBI’s actions.
Oil change leads to FBI surprise
When Yasir Afifi took his vehicle in for an oil change, auto mechanics found a surprise from the FBI. A GPS tracking device was attached to the undercarriage of the vehicle. After taking photos and posting them online, a friend of Yasir Afifi confirmed that the GPS device is used by the FBI. While the FBI does not officially confirm that the device belongs to the Bureau, police and Federal Bureau of Investigation officials did arrive at Afifi’s home to reclaim the device.
Warantless GPS tracking
The GPS tracking device appears to be the result of the recent U.S. 9th circut court ruling that allows for secret tracking of vehicles without a warrant. Yasir Afifi claims that there is no reason for the FBI to be tracking him, other than the fact he is half Egyption. Yasir Afifi is a U.S. born citizen and the son of an Islamic-American community leader.
ACLU vows to fight GPS tracking
The American Civil Liberties Union quickly contacted Yasir Afifi when the FBI device was found in his vehicle. The ACLU has been searching for a case such as this with which to challenge the 9th circut court ruling. Afifi was originally contacted by the FBI six months ago. Afifi cooperated with the FBI, saying that he would be happy to answer questions if his lawyer approved. The lawyer contacted the FBI, but he never heard anything back. The Federal Bureau of Investigation said it received an “anonymous tip” that Afifi may be a threat to national security.
This is messed up. doesnt matter what anyone on here says. It’s stereotype most likely.
&(#& the fbi, not doing their job, or apparently doing their job badly.
*#** you ignorant, fox news loving americans too. You disgrace america with your stupid .
For the record, im a American.
If you find a device on your vehicle, it is your property. Essentially the device falls under the concept of abandoned property.
Big Brother is watching us, It does not matter if you are a citizen of USA, or those who have migrated here. But who is watching them??? they have turn the tides since 911. Who do I blame. The REPUBLICANS, aka The BULL MOOSE, and now the TEA PARTY factor. Well, the greatess fear, is fear itself, and yes, not by ALIENS, and perhaps the are.
If you put it on my car, it's mine. I'd sell it on eBay.
It is probably valid to state that unwarranted surveillance is lawful for vehicles driven on public roads as this can also be accomplished with a manual tail. However, a mechanical devices like GPS follow the vehicle wherever it goes including places where a manual tail would easily be spotted. Additionally, many people drive their vehicles onto private roads, long private driveways, private hunting camps, and preserves. This is especially true of SUV's, UTV's, and ATV's. We need to set boundaries here and not just have a blanket endorsement of electronic tracking devices.
Welcome to big brother-ville.
Warrantless wire taps are one thing – but only under Obama now do we see this kind of abuse. We never saw any type of abuse like this under Bush.
Ask yourselves – the way this Obama crowd makes false accusations against the CoC, and demands someone prove their accusations are false. . . . .the IRS is now being requested to harass GOP donors. . . .you've got a GPS tracking device on someone's car just because they got some "anonymous" tip. . . . .
Ask yourselves – do you really want a crowd like this in control?
Really?
Vote out every democrat you can – all the way down to your local dog catcher.
Send them a message they won't forget any time soon. Put a stop to them now.
Wake up. The 'Patriot Act' which was pushed hard by Bush/Cheney opened the door to all these abuses.
You think this wasn't going on during the authoritarian "Be afraid, terrists are everywhere" Bush Administration?
The Security State crosses party lines, but the major enthusiasts for it are law-and-order Republicans.
This 20 year old full time college student and part time computer salesman also seems to have enough money to support himself in Silicon Valley, pay for frequent trips to the Middle East AND provide financial support to his two teenage brothers who live in Egypt. REALLY??? What is he selling Crays?
According to the Associated Press Oct. 16, 2010:
- Yasir Afifi is a a 20-year-old computer salesman and community college student
- FBI agents did go to Afifi’s Santa Clara apartment and demanded the return of their property — a global positioning system tracking device
- Afifi’s father was a well-known Islamic-American community leader who died last year in Egypt
- His attorney Zahra Biloo, stated Afifi has extensive ties to the Middle East, which include supporting two brothers who live in Egypt and making frequent overseas trips
How many 20 year olds do you know who have "extensive ties to the Middle East" and have the time and means to make "frequent overseas trips" to the Middle East while a full time student and employed?
Sounds pretty suspicious, doesn't it?
I have no problem with the FBI placing devices on vehicles. In general all destinations fall within the public domain where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. I do have a problem with the bureau stupidly placing a device where it can readily be found. That is the real scandal here!
The argument that "As long as the GPS devices are attached to vehicles on public roads… no warrant is needed", is not just frivolous, it's downright silly… And any justice who makes such a ruling needs to be removed from the bench. We are not talking about "satellite" surveilance and tracking. There is no difference in the planting of a surveilance device in someone's house or office, or on someone's PRIVATELY OWNED automobile! It is tantamount to seizure and conversion of use. The FBI has no more right to attach something to my automobile than some businees has to glue advertising stickers on my car to advertise their business, even if they glue them on while I'm parked at a shopping center or on a public street. No one, without a court order, has the right to take use of my property without my permission, no matter how much more convenient doing so makes their job.