Santa Clara County (Calif.) drive to acquire cellphone tracker derailed
Source: San Jose Mercury News
After officials pressed for more disclosure about top-secret cellphone tracking technology -- including a call to publicly draft a policy regarding its use -- Santa Clara County could not reach a contract agreement with its manufacturer and will not be purchasing the device.
In a memo released Wednesday, the County Executive's Office said "after lengthy negotiations regarding contract terms, including business and legal issues," an agreement could not be reached with the manufacturer, the Harris Corp.
As a result, "the system will not be purchased at this time," and the work group focused on drafting a use policy will be disbanded.
"That's the first time we've heard about a county going so far as to negotiate with Harris on the purchase, and then going back on it," said Alan Butler, an attorney with the Electronic Privacy Information Center in Washington, D.C.
Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_28062742/santa-clara-county-drive-acquire-cell-phone-tracker?source=infinite