The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda is asking for assistance from telecommunication companies towards the solving of crimes in the country. According to Maurice Merchant, the Director General of Communication in the Prime Minister’s Office, the police are of the opinion that telecommunications providers have the potential to contribute more in their support.
“That was a matter that was discussed with the honorable Attorney General and his legal team there, to look at how best to convince, or to encourage – to persuade – telecommunication providers to provide necessary information to the police to aid them in their crime fighting efforts”, Merchant explained.
Mr. Merchant acknowledged the delicate nature of this request, as telecommunication providers have a responsibility to maintain a certain level of privacy for their customers.
“It is an area that all parties tread lightly, because the issue of privacy comes into play”, said the Director General. “That’s why the police always encourage the general public to volunteer, to volunteer information in helping them to solve crimes.”
The discussions about enhancing the crime-fighting capabilities of the Police Force come at a time when law enforcement is facing public scrutiny due to controversial police actions and a recent spate of violent robberies.
To effectively address criminal incidents, the police depend on valuable information that aids in their efforts, and they regularly promote cooperation from community members to help bring cases to a close. This information is so critical it seems, that it has become necessary to acquire it by alternative means.
As Merchant explains, “If persons do not voluntarily provide information, there must be some means of getting that information.”
The last Lin, if people really doesn’t provide information then there’s no way we can stop the crimes around here
Police want more data, but are they using what they already have properly?
So basically, the authorities are now seeking a way to invade your privacy. Nothing you do or say will no longer be private. I said it a long time ago “we are slowly becoming a society where we will have or can keep anything to ourselves”. Whether it’s for crime research purposes or otherwise, the time is here where even a simple chat between you and your partner will no longer stay between the 2 of you. This goes far beyond just crime prevention and more to do with being able to keep tabs on everything and everyone….. EVERYWHERE
What we need is a forensic lab not people people’s private phone conversations
That not making sense,those police want to take our privacy away,most of crime organizations happening face to face that wouldn’t change anything
So people conversation you want to.listen too? Call me at midnight when my husband and I playing and you will hear some good conversations. Idiot
Once the information is to solve crimes and uses responsibly I don’t see why that should be a problem.
Just make sure that it’s polices properly
It’s illegal for any telecommunication company to seek information into people’s personal phone. What the morder
Who will give permission for the government to search my phone? The day this happens in antigua all these telecommunication companies will go bankrupt
It makes sense for the police to collaborate with telecoms. Modern crimes often involve digital evidence, and this could help solve cases faster.
Only now? Only friggin now??? Chupz
So that’s the way you think crime will solve? It will solve when you remove those dirty elements from the force
I thought the police could ask for that and recieve it freely
And since police cannot keep their mouts shut then of course the world will know what’s on people’s phones