ACLU’s new Android app lets users secretly record police misconduct

[midnight]

A new Android application released by the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ) and OpenWatch.net allows users to secretly record police encounters and automatically save their recordings to a public website for all to see.

Called “Police Tape,” the ACLU-NJ’s app builds on work done by OpenWatch.net with their “Cop Recorder” and “OpenWatch Recorder” programs, which essentially carry out the same functions, albeit in less polished form. ACLU-NJ’s release adds even more helpful content, like legal advice on citizens’ rights during police encounters.

“This app provides an essential tool for police accountability,” ACLU-NJ Executive Director Deborah Jacobs said in an advisory. “Too often incidents of serious misconduct go unreported because citizens don’t feel that they will be believed. Here, the technology empowers citizens to place a check on police power directly.”


While the “Police Tape” app is currently available to all Android users, ACLU-NJ recommends that only New Jersey residents use it due to certain states still having a problem with citizens recording police in public. The app’s terms and conditions also recommend that users consult an attorney before publishing any recordings online.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/07/06/aclus-new-android-app-lets-users-secretly-record-police-misconduct/

[gregoire]

1. How long before iPhones are the only legal phones?

It's impossible to install an app like this on one of their fascist phones. Androids are open and can be used as tools against the thugs in blue so they're going to shut them down.

[joshcryer]

3. In fairness, you can jailbreak an iPhone and do something like this.

But I do agree that Android sets the bar really low (it's just a setting in the phone).

I do think that Android is a truly fascinating and open platform and Google has the right path with regards to the technology.

[Lifelong Protester]

2. this is interesting

in that all I have is an old 'dumb' phone. And I'm rarely (well, usually) in the range of police wishing to inflict brutality on me, but ya never know.

Anyway, if I do upgrade to a fancy newer phone, I guess and Android might be the way to go if you can get this app.

I am an ACLU member.

[midnight]

5. Glad to hear you are a member.... More and More they seem to be doing the heavy lifting.

I too have an old dumb phone...

[lunatica]

4. Now we're watching Big Brother back

I like that idea since evidently they're watching us already.

[gopiscrap]

7. Me too!

but watch there will be laws that make this illegal with big jail time to along with it!

[WillyT]

6. K & R !!!

[WillyT]

8. And Another...