Ask YC: Why not prevent suicides by automatically spying on people's emails?

Re:Ask YC: Why not prevent suicides by automatically spying... by s_baar on Tuesday November 20, 2007 @07:54PM (#82259)

Why not have televisions that watch back and make sure we're not making bombs? Why not have random searches and seizures if there's a chance we could save a life? Why not put GPS tracking into every car, every person, so we could find out where they are if they go missing?

Slippery slopes.

And don't call me Shirley.

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Re:Ask YC: Why not prevent suicides by automatically spying... by gscott on Tuesday November 20, 2007 @08:35PM (#82275)

> Why not put GPS tracking into every car

This is already here... GM offers use of it's OnStar system to law enforcement so they can hear what you are saying while in your car, OnStar also has GPS tracking.

> every person

Your cellular phone already does, even when it is turned off.

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Re:Ask YC: Why not prevent suicides by automatically spying... by dcurtis on Wednesday November 21, 2007 @12:00AM (#82350)

OnStar is designed specifically only to work in two instances: 1. Someone presses the blue button in the car manually, or 2. the car detects an accident and automatically calls OnStar and the police.

It doesn't "hear what you're saying while in your car" just randomly.

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Re:Ask YC: Why not prevent suicides by automatically spying... by gscott on Monday December 03, 2007 @05:48PM (#85730)

http://www.news.com/2100-1029_3-5109435.html

OnStar intially helped the FBI in a case by letting them listen into a conversation inside a vehicle, then decided to sue the FBI over it. That doesn't mean OnStar won't change it's mind later...

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Re:Ask YC: Why not prevent suicides by automatically spying... by gojomo on Wednesday November 21, 2007 @12:36AM (#82361)

You probably think your phone only listens when you take it off the hook, too.

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