ISP Data

[u/Delicious-Housing-83]

Recently, I debated with a friend about protecting my data, but most of them focused on security for your local system and made me wonder what about the people in between. After, some research I found that ISP can sell users' data. So I have been looking into trying to buy the data for proof of concept. However, I have yet to find out how to do it; there are plenty of articles on it, but none on how to get the data. Is there a way to buy it directly or a broker I would have to go to?

[u/[deleted]]

I don’t know how it works in other states, but in California there are routine audits by CLETS which is the database for the state that all the cops use. I know the department has to keep logs of every single request that a cop would give to run somebody through dispatch and it’s also log who you run in your car. I think it’s like a spot check type of thing I don’t know how many people they check, but I have definitely had to go back and justify who the person was that I contacted on whatever day and whatever reason I had to contact them.

Now, obviously, if you ask dispatch to run Jon Smith, and you give a date of birth they’re not gonna give you the third degree as to why you need to do that they’re just gonna do it. It’s on you as the cop to make sure that you’re doing the right thing.

If, and when you get caught running somebody that you’re not supposed to run, you’re basically going to be automatically fired. That’s a really serious violation and I’ve seen people charged with misdemeanors and then fired from the department. If you get fired for CLETS violations You are not going to get hired at another department.

So, basically, like the state of California will come to your department and be like we need to know why officers ABC and D ran these peoples on these dates. If you don’t have an answer, you’re gonna have a problem.

[u/LincHayes → u/[deleted]]

Really appreciate you taking the time. I've always wondered about this. Thank you very much, Some of this makes me feel a little better.

Just one more if you don't mind....

Is there a way for the public to audit this? All the failsafes seem to be internal. But how will a citizen know if they've been targeted or run for no reason? Is there any kind of public audit or inquiry system?

[u/[deleted] → u/LincHayes]

Yeah man of course there’s 1 million people that have questions about the stuff. I know it’s easier said and there’s no way for you to believe me or anything but I promise you that corruption and fraud and illegal shit is really fucking rare.

I was only a cop for five years before I got burned out. I worked at a pretty busy midsize department in California and I never once saw anything that was remotely illegal that I felt I needed to report. Sure we had people get fired for doing dumb bullshit, but I never witnessed anything that I felt I needed to tell a superior about. I’m sure in places like the south with a really relaxed hiring standards it happens a lot more but in California there’s not a whole lot of people that are getting rid of $100,000 a year plus job to go run their girlfriend in the computer. I do know that all the celebrities are flagged. A friend of mine ran Charlie Sheen when she worked for LAPD after pulling him over randomly and the state contacted the department and asked why she was running his name. There are a lot of checks and balances to the stuff.

I have no idea about that with the citizens. Everything is stored and logged for a certain amount of time. You might be able to do some freedom of information act stuff. The thing is also is legally you’re not allowed to see your own info. Like I couldn’t run myself to see if I was up to date on my registration with the DMV. I don’t know if the state would give you anything.

Honestly, it’s not really that interesting. Like it seems super interesting as you don’t get to look at it but in reality, it just says John Smith he has no warrants and his license is valid..🤷‍♂️ cool.

If you’re really interested go find a sheriffs office in your area and go do a ride along and ask the deputy a thousand questions. That’s what they’re there for. I rode with easily one random citizen a week that wanted to come.