Eventually, computerization took hold in the telecommunications sector in the 80's. Gradually, it took over tasks, like routing calls, that were previously performed by human or mechanical operators. This trend was a watershed moment. From a consumer perspective, it allowed for new conveniences, like caller ID and call waiting.
From a law enforcement perspective, it simplified investigations. Calls no longer had to be traced manually across switches. Nor did law enforcement have to monitor calls in real time---they could simply look at the metadata generated by calls. It’s easier than ever for law enforcement to trace ordinary phone calls. You can thank the computerization of the phone system for that.
Of course, there are other ways criminals can communicate and evade the thin blue line, such as with VPNs and encrypted voice apps. Those cases won’t be as easily solved - not even by waiting a few minutes to trace the call.
ReplyDeleteyeah. back in the early 1980's I got a chance to see one of the "hubs' run by the NSA. scared the shit out of me !
image a football field full of computers and spinning disc/tape drives. and I was told it was one of many ?
According to my son, a dispatcher for police, fire and EMS here in central Texas. If you are using a cell phone, the signal can only be "tracked" to the nearest cell phone tower. Cell phones are just miniature radios; they send signals to the cell tower which then coverts the signal into a "land line" style of call.
ReplyDeleteI could be wrong but it makes sense.
Hollywood has stretched reality so far it's unwatchable. I sat watching one of those mark Walhberg movies the other night in utter disbelief. Pretty much the norm that everybody has super powers now.
ReplyDeleteNCIS gets the phone call tracing thing right. McGee calls the phone company and gets the log of who called the number. instant real time response, if you have a judge on speed dial.
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