Criminals are now using social GPS apps on their smartphones, either to elude police or avoid traffic while on their "beat." This new trend with the Google-owned app Waze has raised serious concerns among members of the public as well as members of the T&T Police Service (TTPS).But the app, described as excellent by millions around the world for helping them easily navigate their way around, has now become notorious for its use by criminals to warn them of police traps.
It can alert users to the presence of police from about 400 metres to 570 metres away, a fair enough distance for any motorist to change his or her route. The app also shows alternative and/or shortcut routes.
Waze connects motorists or passengers in vehicles to one another while on a main highway, main road or side road. The app helps people to even create local driving communities that work together to improve the quality of everyone's daily commute by alerting drivers to gridlock traffic, major or minor road traffic accidents, vehicles on the shoulders of the road, or any obstruction that may be on the roadways.
After typing in the desired destination address, Waze users can just drive with the app open on their phone to keep informed on the status of the roads.Internet and Systems Administrator at Guardian Media Ltd, Randall Maharaj, explains that criminals are not limited to Waze but also have Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and other platforms that can be used to offer the same information through private messages.
"Waze just makes it much more convenient with its live map illustration and voice notifications...It should not then be surprising that people use it for criminal purposes since every communication platform is abused in this way. Similarly, the cellphone and text messaging system may be used by criminals."
'Law enforcement needs toinnovate in their own field'
Maharaj admitted that law enforcement would naturally have concerns with the increased communication capability of digital platforms such as Waze since it could be used to help criminals dodge them in real time.He, however, sought to further explain a few ways that law enforcement personnel could deal with this.He said the relevant authorities might seek to have platforms such as Waze blocked by all Internet providers in the country, including cellular carriers.
This, he added, was not a good idea, however, since these blocks might be circumvented by the use of a VPN (Virtual Private Network) which most modern Smartphones were capable of using.
Similar to the phone network, Maharaj said, Internet connections could be tapped and conversations between computers could be intercepted and recorded. This might be done by the provider or by an entity listening in between the provider and the client. "This is widely known by Internet-based companies and is avoided with encryption," he said.
He gave an example of a recent development involving WhatsApp, where the popular instant messaging platform enforced full end-to-end encryption making it very difficult for anyone to intercept communications.This, he said, provoked a response from the UK Government which proposed that platforms such as WhatsApp, Snapchat and iMessage which used encryption should be banned since they could not be kept under surveillance and could be used for terrorist activities.
"Some users view unsanctioned surveillance as an invasion of privacy and are opposed to it, while others do not mind it if it is in the interest of national safety. This has sparked an ongoing global debate."Law enforcement in some countries, according to Maharaj, have been suspected of entering the digital space and purposely disrupting activities."It is thought that they do this in order to manipulate criminals and suspects..."
He, however, noted that there were many ethical issues with this method which could be in violation of the terms of service of various service providers.Maharaj said since the Internet had brought tremendous innovation to many industries, there was no reason why law enforcement should be left out.
"Our local law enforcement should heed this call and produce new and innovative products that will increase their effectiveness. An example is for them to create a digital platform for the reporting of criminal activities with the ability to submit video, photo and geo data. It can be in the form of a Web site along with mobile apps."If criminals are being creative through the use of Internet platforms to avoid capture, then law enforcement needs to match this by innovating in their own field.
"What is important for us to understand is that the Internet offers true freedom of communication and is one of man's greatest creations. Countries that choose to disrupt Internet access and access to specific digital platforms disregard their populations' right to privacy and freedom."Maharaj said whilst some abused Internet platforms for criminal gain, he strongly believed this was not a valid reason for governments and law enforcement to censor or disrupt it.
Heerah: The app posesa challenge for NOC
Head of the National Operations Centre (NOC) Commander Garvin Heerah said he was aware of the use of Waze by criminals and that there were challenges.He, however, assured the public that the matter was engaging the attention of the specific law enforcement body responsible for cyber investigations.
"We are aware that there are some challenges regarding persons bent on illegal intent using the app on the whereabouts of law enforcement, etc. The situation is being looked at. Understandably, I would be unable to reveal any further information or status of this issue."Heerah said the NOC had seen the effectiveness of the app and was also seeking to maximise it for their own use.
"The app has a lot of dynamics and is widely used by a very large percentage of the citizenry. In this vein, the NOC has capitalised on this effect and is using the service in an information provider capacity. Utilisation of the social media space to aid and support anti-crime initiatives is all part of the modernised approach to policing that has been advocated by the Minister of National Security and is being adopted by the TTPS and other law enforcement bodies."
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Waze grew rapidly in 2012, hitting a milestone of 20 million users in July after doubling that number in six months.As of February 2013, according to techcrunch.com, a total of 36 million drivers in 110 countries shared 90 million user reports (including traffic and road condition alerts).Users are an active bunch: a total of 65,000 Waze users made 500 million edits, updating Waze's 1.7 million changes on the ground.