Student Who Found GPS Device On His Car Due To Reddit Comment Sues The FBI
For my little branch of this comment thread, can we leave aside the FBI's reason for planting a GPS monitor? Just assume the FBI had no reason whatsoever. That they did it randomly. I tend to agree that in this case, they didn't seem to have a good reason. But, then:<p>Exactly what is the damage this guy suffered? What's he suing over?<p>Why should it be unconstitutional for the FBI to use technology to do something they can <i>clearly</i> already do without technology? It is not a violation of your civil rights for an unmarked car to follow you around and watch you.<p>There clearly is a line here, so let me foreclose on that response right up front. Yes, it would be unconstitutional if the FBI tried to track all of us, by making coded GPS monitors mandatory on all cars.<p>But in this case, if they couldn't plant the monitor, they could just follow him. He'd have no case. It's almost exactly the same loss of privacy. So why it such a big deal in the GPS case?