Comment on NYPD faces backlash as it prepares to encrypt radio communications | New York | The Guardian

scottmeme@sh.itjust.works ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

• Toes@ani.social ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  I suspect it would be helpful for protecting sensitive situations. Currently (at least with EMS) they call each other’s cellphones for that, not ideal.

  source

  • CaptainSpaceman@lemmy.world ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    What kind of situations?

    source

    • godzillabacter@lemmy.world ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      EMS communication over unencrypted channels is limited by HIPAA, patient information must be kept vague to protect patient privacy. In the event that, say, an individuals name needs to be given to the receiving facility to facilitate review of records prior to arrival by the ER physician, some other method of communication has to be used.

      source

      • rockSlayer@lemmy.world ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

        It’s not a HIPAA violation for a report like this to go over insecure radio waves:

        16 year old male, unresponsive. Suspected alcohol poisoning. EMS required. Address to be provided by emergency services

        source

        • -> View More Comments
      • themeatbridge@lemmy.world ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

        Encryption on radio communications would not help that at all. It would still be a HIPAA violation to share sensitive information on a broadcast, even if it is encrypted.

        source

        • -> View More Comments
    • JaymesRS@literature.cafe ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      Off of the top of my head, I can see how an announcement of an open shooter at a location might attract some Meal Team 6 Rambo wanna-be to try and bust in and save the day and making it significantly worse.

      source

      • Cethin@lemmy.zip ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

        I’ve never heard of this happening. It’s probably more for people avoiding police and maybe ambulance chasers.

        source

        • -> View More Comments
      • CaptainSpaceman@lemmy.world ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

        OK, so something thats never happened before needs to be curtailed?

        And even if so, active shooters are rare, do we need to encrypt ALL chatter for something that happens maybe every few years for a given precinct/jurisdiction?

        source

        • -> View More Comments
  • ScaNtuRd@lemmy.world ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    Newsflash: Cellphone calls are not encrypted either, believe it or not.

    source

    • Toes@ani.social ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      That may be the case with older technologies but VoLTE very much is.

      source

      • ScaNtuRd@lemmy.world ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

        Sure, but how many phones/carriers actually use this by default in the US?

        source

        • -> View More Comments
  • LastYearsPumpkin@feddit.ch ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    Or fucking use telegram or Whatsapp. Anything except the official equipment.

    source

    • ScaNtuRd@lemmy.world ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      Those are both terrible examples of messaging apps, because they are not properly secured. Signal would be a much better option.

      source

      • blackn1ght@feddit.uk ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

        WhatsApp is, Telegram isn’t.

        source

        • -> View More Comments