Technology is a double-edged sword. It has enabled the government to become more intrusive than ever with its online spying capabilities. However, cheap and discreet recording devices make it much more feasible to hold cops on the street accountable.
Police State USA encourages holding government officials accountable but advises everyone to research the laws in their own states regarding secretly recording audio conversations (Read more: The Reporter’s Recording Guide). Encounters with police officers in public generally do not fall under such restrictions, particularly after the recent court decision in Illinois.
Here, we intend to look at the technologies that facilitate that recording.
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Ustream is a cell phone application that allows a user to begin recording video and audio — and simultaneously stream the data to an online account — at the click of a button.
If you are in a tense situation with the police, click the app button and the rest is done automatically. While running, it doesn’t look like a streaming app.
The video files will then be available online when viewing the user’s Ustream account.
Pros: Easy to use. Preserves video even if cell phone is confiscated. Does not give obvious clues that the app is streaming.
Cons: Police may assume that cell phones are recording. Depends on having a sufficient phone signal.
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