November 8, 2011
Giulia Stavropoulos
On Tuesday November 8th the Supreme Court debated whether or not tracking cars with the use of global positioning systems (GPS) goes against the Fourth Amendment, which specifically bans unreasonable or unwarranted searches and seizures. The debate stemmed from a specific case concerning a man named Antoine Jones who was suspected of selling cocaine. Through the use of GPS technology that was placed on his car without a warrant, Jones was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. His sentence has since been overturned due to the belief that the Fourth Amendment had been violated. This controversy brings the ethics of the advancement of technology into question—is modern technology being used for good, for evil, or for both? I believe in cases regarding the safety of others and the sentencing of criminals, modern technology is being used for the good of the people. If the GPS was attached with a warrant, or had the warrant been denied, it is possible that Jones would never have been caught. Is it unethical? In many respects, yes. But why would the placement of GPS technology be questioned if the person in question had nothing to hide?
Do you think the Fourth Amendment should apply to the tracking of cars or clothing etc.?
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