FBI paid Geek Squad staff to be informants

TXDirt
Profile picture for user TXDirt
Posts
7399
Joined
7/29/2015
Location
Plano, TX US
TXDirt
Edited Date/Time 3/12/2018 3:51am
What are your thoughts on this? Seems like a big over reach (possibly illegal) as usual by the Federal Government.

If you inadvertently discover something like child porn I get that you have to report it.

Just kinda makes you wonder where does it end though. And how can the FBI pay Geek Squad employees to search customer computers...

FBI paid Geek Squad staff to be informants
|
Ghost of Jabroni 3/7/2018 9:34am
3/7/2018 9:34am
For starters, Geek Squad shouldn’t “accidentally” be finding anything.

Secondly, I dont know what the laws are, I could care less about keeping up with them since the constitution is raped daily by the politicians. I know right & wrong and what the FBI is doing is plain fucking wrong.

I hate government.
plowboy
Profile picture for user plowboy
Posts
11664
Joined
1/3/2010
Location
Norwich, KS US
plowboy 3/8/2018 5:07pm
3/8/2018 5:07pm
Sorry, if you are a pedophile and stupid enough to put your computer in the shop then you get what you deserve. I don't see this as government "over reach" at all. It's amoral not to mention illegal. Geek Squad ain't yer priest or your attorney....they don't have to shut up about your sick shit.
TXDirt
Profile picture for user TXDirt
Posts
7399
Joined
7/29/2015
Location
Plano, TX US
TXDirt 3/8/2018 7:23pm
3/8/2018 7:23pm
plowboy wrote:
Sorry, if you are a pedophile and stupid enough to put your computer in the shop then you get what you deserve. I don't see this...
Sorry, if you are a pedophile and stupid enough to put your computer in the shop then you get what you deserve. I don't see this as government "over reach" at all. It's amoral not to mention illegal. Geek Squad ain't yer priest or your attorney....they don't have to shut up about your sick shit.
Ummm no one is disagreeing with what you just said.

I think you missed the entire point though.

The FBI paid Geek Squad workers to go through customer computers. And all of this done without a search warrant.

You don’t see anything wrong with that? How about a complete invasion of privacy to start with.
jeffro503
Profile picture for user jeffro503
Posts
27442
Joined
7/22/2007
Location
St Helens, OR US
jeffro503 3/8/2018 10:07pm
3/8/2018 10:07pm
I actually like it that they hired those guys. Catching just one or two pedo's is worth it in my book. I for one don't mind the government peeking into our lives like this.....because if you're a good person you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Getting your legal personal stuff......is a line they don't seem to be interested in crossing. And if they invade my life a little , to catch creep fuckers like that.....then have at it.

The Shop

See All »
KennyT
Profile picture for user KennyT
Posts
4185
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Vista, CA US
Fantasy
233rd
KennyT 3/8/2018 11:04pm
3/8/2018 11:04pm
jeffro503 wrote:
I actually like it that they hired those guys. Catching just one or two pedo's is worth it in my book. I for one don't mind...
I actually like it that they hired those guys. Catching just one or two pedo's is worth it in my book. I for one don't mind the government peeking into our lives like this.....because if you're a good person you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Getting your legal personal stuff......is a line they don't seem to be interested in crossing. And if they invade my life a little , to catch creep fuckers like that.....then have at it.
I’m with you on this Jeffro. I have zero problems with government using whatever means possible to catch criminals. The internet has made it way to easy for criminals to get what they are after....pedophiles, terrorist etc

If you have nothing to hide then I don’t know why it is bothersome
TXDirt
Profile picture for user TXDirt
Posts
7399
Joined
7/29/2015
Location
Plano, TX US
TXDirt 3/8/2018 11:58pm
3/8/2018 11:58pm
So then you must be okay then with Geek Squad staff watching home made sex videos of you and your wife? And I guess you will just have to trust them not to make a copy and upload it on the Internet.

I could give you numerous examples that have nothing to do if you are a good person.

So I’m just going to assume then you are okay with Grease Monkey employees going through your car when you bring it in for an oil change looking for unlicensed firearms??

All in the name of safety.

Don’t dare touch my hand cannon but if untrained geek squad employees want to go through my personal computer without a shred of authority, we’ll go right ahead.
freeh
Profile picture for user freeh
Posts
617
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
West Jordan, UT US
freeh 3/9/2018 6:17am
3/9/2018 6:17am
jeffro503 wrote:
I actually like it that they hired those guys. Catching just one or two pedo's is worth it in my book. I for one don't mind...
I actually like it that they hired those guys. Catching just one or two pedo's is worth it in my book. I for one don't mind the government peeking into our lives like this.....because if you're a good person you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Getting your legal personal stuff......is a line they don't seem to be interested in crossing. And if they invade my life a little , to catch creep fuckers like that.....then have at it.
Dumbest response in the history of the internet.
freeh
Profile picture for user freeh
Posts
617
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
West Jordan, UT US
freeh 3/9/2018 6:18am
3/9/2018 6:18am
KennyT wrote:
I’m with you on this Jeffro. I have zero problems with government using whatever means possible to catch criminals. The internet has made it way to...
I’m with you on this Jeffro. I have zero problems with government using whatever means possible to catch criminals. The internet has made it way to easy for criminals to get what they are after....pedophiles, terrorist etc

If you have nothing to hide then I don’t know why it is bothersome
Second dumbest response. We are doomed as a country if anything close to a majority develop this idiotic mindset.
MR. X
Profile picture for user MR. X
Posts
6917
Joined
6/24/2010
Location
North Tonawanda, NY US
MR. X 3/9/2018 6:30am
3/9/2018 6:30am
Why stop there ,we might as well have cameras in all our houses to monitoring us too.
Ted722
Profile picture for user Ted722
Posts
4487
Joined
9/21/2011
Location
Sacramento, CA US
Ted722 3/9/2018 6:49am
3/9/2018 6:49am Edited Date/Time 3/9/2018 6:49am
MR. X wrote:
Why stop there ,we might as well have cameras in all our houses to monitoring us too.
You have the built-in camera covered with tape on your laptop? FBI recommended this a couple years ago.
MR. X
Profile picture for user MR. X
Posts
6917
Joined
6/24/2010
Location
North Tonawanda, NY US
MR. X 3/9/2018 8:13am
3/9/2018 8:13am
MR. X wrote:
Why stop there ,we might as well have cameras in all our houses to monitoring us too.
Ted722 wrote:
You have the built-in camera covered with tape on your laptop? FBI recommended this a couple years ago.
How are all my paying customers gonna see the show if I cover the camera?
jeffro503
Profile picture for user jeffro503
Posts
27442
Joined
7/22/2007
Location
St Helens, OR US
jeffro503 3/9/2018 8:29am
3/9/2018 8:29am
KennyT wrote:
I’m with you on this Jeffro. I have zero problems with government using whatever means possible to catch criminals. The internet has made it way to...
I’m with you on this Jeffro. I have zero problems with government using whatever means possible to catch criminals. The internet has made it way to easy for criminals to get what they are after....pedophiles, terrorist etc

If you have nothing to hide then I don’t know why it is bothersome
freeh wrote:
Second dumbest response. We are doomed as a country if anything close to a majority develop this idiotic mindset.
Sounds like you have some stuff to hide. You're also not to bright from the sounds of it.


First off.....every computer shop on planet earth , has tech's that see a LOT of personal stuff on people's computers , when they take them in to get fixed. They were going to see it anyways! They are just reporting the bad shit to the fed's!

This is not a "new " thing here. Same people see you're dirty stuff , just like they always have. And anyone can basically hack your information at just about any given time. The Geek squad is just reporting when they find something.

So yes , I'm happy about it.

jeffro503
Profile picture for user jeffro503
Posts
27442
Joined
7/22/2007
Location
St Helens, OR US
jeffro503 3/9/2018 8:33am
3/9/2018 8:33am
TXDirt wrote:
So then you must be okay then with Geek Squad staff watching home made sex videos of you and your wife? And I guess you will...
So then you must be okay then with Geek Squad staff watching home made sex videos of you and your wife? And I guess you will just have to trust them not to make a copy and upload it on the Internet.

I could give you numerous examples that have nothing to do if you are a good person.

So I’m just going to assume then you are okay with Grease Monkey employees going through your car when you bring it in for an oil change looking for unlicensed firearms??

All in the name of safety.

Don’t dare touch my hand cannon but if untrained geek squad employees want to go through my personal computer without a shred of authority, we’ll go right ahead.
But they " do " have the authority TX. When they tear into a computer under the permission of whomever brought it in to get fixed.
TXDirt
Profile picture for user TXDirt
Posts
7399
Joined
7/29/2015
Location
Plano, TX US
TXDirt 3/9/2018 8:37am
3/9/2018 8:37am
TXDirt wrote:
So then you must be okay then with Geek Squad staff watching home made sex videos of you and your wife? And I guess you will...
So then you must be okay then with Geek Squad staff watching home made sex videos of you and your wife? And I guess you will just have to trust them not to make a copy and upload it on the Internet.

I could give you numerous examples that have nothing to do if you are a good person.

So I’m just going to assume then you are okay with Grease Monkey employees going through your car when you bring it in for an oil change looking for unlicensed firearms??

All in the name of safety.

Don’t dare touch my hand cannon but if untrained geek squad employees want to go through my personal computer without a shred of authority, we’ll go right ahead.
jeffro503 wrote:
But they " do " have the authority TX. When they tear into a computer under the permission of whomever brought it in to get fixed.
No they don't. If I bring my computer in to have the graphics card replaced why would they go through my files? Well they would if the FBI paid them to do so. With no warrant, no oversight, no training in computer forensics.

You don't see anything wrong with that????????
TDeath21
Profile picture for user TDeath21
Posts
6523
Joined
2/22/2011
Location
Somewhere, MO US
TDeath21 3/9/2018 8:39am
3/9/2018 8:39am
I think a lot of animals get abused in the house. Let’s set up cameras in every house with a pet to ensure we catch those people. I mean yeah they’re peeking into our lives a little, but they’ll catch a few animal abusers.

There are people that drink and drive. I think we should put a breathilizer on each steering wheel of every automobile to ensure this doesn’t happen. Sure they’d be peeking into our lives a little, but automobile accidents would decrease because of it.

There are people that slit their wrists with razor blades. I think we should all have mandatory wrist guards to prevent us from slitting our wrists. Sure they’re peeking into our lives a little, but suicides would drop because of it.

Murderers sometimes get away with it. We should all be required to wear a body camera at all times. Sure the government peeks into our lives a little, but overall crime would drop because of it.

Anyone willing to give up liberty in exchange for security will get neither.
jeffro503
Profile picture for user jeffro503
Posts
27442
Joined
7/22/2007
Location
St Helens, OR US
jeffro503 3/9/2018 8:52am
3/9/2018 8:52am
TXDirt wrote:
So then you must be okay then with Geek Squad staff watching home made sex videos of you and your wife? And I guess you will...
So then you must be okay then with Geek Squad staff watching home made sex videos of you and your wife? And I guess you will just have to trust them not to make a copy and upload it on the Internet.

I could give you numerous examples that have nothing to do if you are a good person.

So I’m just going to assume then you are okay with Grease Monkey employees going through your car when you bring it in for an oil change looking for unlicensed firearms??

All in the name of safety.

Don’t dare touch my hand cannon but if untrained geek squad employees want to go through my personal computer without a shred of authority, we’ll go right ahead.
jeffro503 wrote:
But they " do " have the authority TX. When they tear into a computer under the permission of whomever brought it in to get fixed.
TXDirt wrote:
No they don't. If I bring my computer in to have the graphics card replaced why would they go through my files? Well they would if...
No they don't. If I bring my computer in to have the graphics card replaced why would they go through my files? Well they would if the FBI paid them to do so. With no warrant, no oversight, no training in computer forensics.

You don't see anything wrong with that????????
I see your point. But if this gets just a few sicko's off the streets , I see it as a positive that out weighs the negatives. That's all I'm saying. Especially this exact topic......because I've seen the aftermath in the real world. And I bet the victim's and their families really wished that this kind " reporting to the feds " , had happened sooner.
early
Profile picture for user early
Posts
8293
Joined
2/13/2013
Location
University Heights, OH US
Fantasy
2231st
early 3/9/2018 9:07am
3/9/2018 9:07am
jeffro503 wrote:
I see your point. But if this gets just a few sicko's off the streets , I see it as a positive that out weighs the...
I see your point. But if this gets just a few sicko's off the streets , I see it as a positive that out weighs the negatives. That's all I'm saying. Especially this exact topic......because I've seen the aftermath in the real world. And I bet the victim's and their families really wished that this kind " reporting to the feds " , had happened sooner.
Alot of questionable laws/procedures could be carried out with the justification "if it prevents just one _______ it was worth it", but is it really? The system was set up by the founding fathers to limit the power the government has over the individual, this will always be a compromise that let's some guilty get away to prevent the innocent from false accusation. In my opinion it's more important to have good standards now than it ever was.

Pit Row

See All »
DC98
Profile picture for user DC98
Posts
34
Joined
12/29/2017
Location
Las Vegas, NV US
DC98 3/9/2018 9:45am
3/9/2018 9:45am
I don't understand why some people are willing to give into the government snooping into our personal lives.
The more we give the more they will take, and if you do not believe that you are a fool!
Uncle Tony
Profile picture for user Uncle Tony
Posts
4149
Joined
6/30/2014
Location
New York, NY US
Uncle Tony 3/9/2018 10:01am
3/9/2018 10:01am Edited Date/Time 3/9/2018 10:01am
Chipping away slowly all for our safety
akillerwombat
Profile picture for user akillerwombat
Posts
2006
Joined
10/16/2013
Location
Los Angeles, CA US
akillerwombat 3/9/2018 10:24am
3/9/2018 10:24am Edited Date/Time 3/9/2018 10:30am
Uncle Tony wrote:
Chipping away slowly all for our safety
It's very interesting to see the contrast been what people are comfortable with the government taking away form themselves (for the greater good) vs giving to others (for the greater good).
SCR
Profile picture for user SCR
Posts
1090
Joined
12/10/2009
Location
CA US
SCR 3/9/2018 10:33am
3/9/2018 10:33am
Sure sounds like warrantless search without probable cause. Not too many steps away from random home inspections in search of a crime.
Seems like all that 4th ammendment mumbo jumbo doesn't apply to FBI and some other Govt agencies.
Uncle Tony
Profile picture for user Uncle Tony
Posts
4149
Joined
6/30/2014
Location
New York, NY US
Uncle Tony 3/9/2018 10:38am
3/9/2018 10:38am
Never did apply to the FBI, they seem to make up their own rules as they go along
akillerwombat
Profile picture for user akillerwombat
Posts
2006
Joined
10/16/2013
Location
Los Angeles, CA US
akillerwombat 3/9/2018 10:50am
3/9/2018 10:50am Edited Date/Time 3/9/2018 10:51am
Uncle Tony wrote:
Never did apply to the FBI, they seem to make up their own rules as they go along
Long story short, way back in high school I told my design teacher how I would make fake "buy 10 get 1 free punch / stamp cards" for a lot of different companies around town. I would only do it once per company (it was stealing after all... but I enjoyed the challenge of it) and she ended up referring me to a friend of theirs that worked at the FBI to see if they could get me a job.

I ended up meeting with the guy a few weeks later and he tasked me with creating a handful of fake travel documents. I found some travel documents online of the countries he wanted, filled in all the information, photocopied the document a few times (great way to age the shit out of something; photocopy a photocopy), made some stamps, then wrapped them in paper towels and buried them in really dry dirt for a week.

About a week after I handed them over they called me up and offered me a job.

Didn't take it, but it was a pretty cool experience.
Uncle Tony
Profile picture for user Uncle Tony
Posts
4149
Joined
6/30/2014
Location
New York, NY US
Uncle Tony 3/9/2018 10:58am
3/9/2018 10:58am
You should come to New York, I'm sure there's a few "families" that would pay well for your skills, probably better than the feds lol
APLMAN99
Profile picture for user APLMAN99
Posts
10111
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Dallas, TX US
APLMAN99 3/9/2018 11:44am
3/9/2018 11:44am
jeffro503 wrote:
I actually like it that they hired those guys. Catching just one or two pedo's is worth it in my book. I for one don't mind...
I actually like it that they hired those guys. Catching just one or two pedo's is worth it in my book. I for one don't mind the government peeking into our lives like this.....because if you're a good person you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Getting your legal personal stuff......is a line they don't seem to be interested in crossing. And if they invade my life a little , to catch creep fuckers like that.....then have at it.
Inadvertently finding evidence of a crime and reporting it is one thing. Paying a "bounty" to reward someone digging into things that aren't required to complete the agreed upon service is a different thing altogether.

Imagine calling in a plumber to fix a leaky pipe and then they also rifle through your desk looking for any info that may show that you cheated on your taxes. Sure, a few people may be "caught" each year, but the rest of us wouldn't be accepting that this Govco encouraged and sponsored intrusion is okay because we don't have anything to "hide".
plowboy
Profile picture for user plowboy
Posts
11664
Joined
1/3/2010
Location
Norwich, KS US
plowboy 3/9/2018 3:55pm
3/9/2018 3:55pm
TXDirt wrote:
So then you must be okay then with Geek Squad staff watching home made sex videos of you and your wife? And I guess you will...
So then you must be okay then with Geek Squad staff watching home made sex videos of you and your wife? And I guess you will just have to trust them not to make a copy and upload it on the Internet.

I could give you numerous examples that have nothing to do if you are a good person.

So I’m just going to assume then you are okay with Grease Monkey employees going through your car when you bring it in for an oil change looking for unlicensed firearms??

All in the name of safety.

Don’t dare touch my hand cannon but if untrained geek squad employees want to go through my personal computer without a shred of authority, we’ll go right ahead.
jeffro503 wrote:
But they " do " have the authority TX. When they tear into a computer under the permission of whomever brought it in to get fixed.
TXDirt wrote:
No they don't. If I bring my computer in to have the graphics card replaced why would they go through my files? Well they would if...
No they don't. If I bring my computer in to have the graphics card replaced why would they go through my files? Well they would if the FBI paid them to do so. With no warrant, no oversight, no training in computer forensics.

You don't see anything wrong with that????????
I in no way condone or endorse warrantless searches without probable cause. My point is that when you take your computer, car, whatever to the shop...only a very naive person would expect any degree of privacy from the shop. I mean if your computer is full of kiddie porn or there's a dead body in the trunk...do you expect them to just say, "Thatll be $149.50 and send you on your way?" I can't really tell you how I feel about the Feds paying for the info. Still thinking on that part. I wouldn't even consider letting a workman in my house without watching them the entire time. I won't even let them use the bathroom in my home. Go before you get here or hold it. Bottom line for me...if I involve ANYONE else in my life I automatically have ceded my privacy. I'm not arguing about "legal"....I'm talking about realities.
jeffro503
Profile picture for user jeffro503
Posts
27442
Joined
7/22/2007
Location
St Helens, OR US
jeffro503 3/9/2018 4:24pm
3/9/2018 4:24pm
I guess my main point I was trying to make is , is that we'll basically write new laws after something happens to a child. If one dies....the whole nation can change laws.

So what about hundreds or even thousands of kids that get abused.....not killed? But can get their whole lives destroyed because of it?

I'm not for the feds getting into our business , but man , where do you draw the line , on where you want / need their help?

This is coming from a guy who was never blessed with a child. If you're a mother or a father....how could you not want them using any means nessacery to find these perv's? And this isn't just about a few kids....it's about thousands. And we all get bent out of shape because they look into our private lives a bit?

I know that may sound naive.....but I think the little invasion of privacy , to help kids ( lots of them )....is warranted.

Is it an avenue for the feds to possibly cross the line? Yeah maybe. Do I like the fact that they have to use these means to nail those perv's....yes. But again......if it stops just one of them , then I'm ok with it.
Uncle Tony
Profile picture for user Uncle Tony
Posts
4149
Joined
6/30/2014
Location
New York, NY US
Uncle Tony 3/9/2018 5:43pm
3/9/2018 5:43pm
Being the father of 3 daughters Jeff I'm with you

Post a reply to: FBI paid Geek Squad staff to be informants