If you ’re in Beijing for the Olympics kicking starting this weekend , do n’t be spilling any beans ( state secrets or otherwise ) in your taxicab back to the hotel , because you ’re being listened to . As theWSJ is report , on your taxi ’s dash is a microphone that can be activate remotely , at any time and without the driver ’s knowledge , for a live listen into any one of Beijing ’s count on 70,000 cabs . And then , if the folks on the other end do n’t like what they hear , they can take thing even further . The GPS - equipped devices also appropriate for remote handicap by “ cut off the oil or galvanizing supply , ” effectively shut down the railway locomotive and keeping it from being restarted . Yikes . Beijing police tow the general “ it ’s for the driver ’s safety ” telephone circuit :
Whether these microphones are used to spy on rider is unclear . Asked if police could hear in on conversations in taxis , a Beijing police official declined to remark , saying that such thing were “ confidential ” and that they were “ not supposed to release such item to the world . ”
As the State Department has warned , you could expect to be monitored in just about every other place , public or individual . It ’s doubtful that every cabriolet is being recorded at all times , but the technical school is there if necessary . console .
Several Beijing taxi companies declined to comment on the surety facet but said that the GPS helps track taxis and that the microphones will be used for translating servicing . About a dozen taxi drivers state the mike were installed about three years ago , when newfangled cabs were built without protective metal cages around the driver . hack driver can turn on the organization and alert their dispatch centerfield by touching a discreet clit near the steering roulette wheel . militant say they are interested about the ability to take heed to conversation with the devices , which appear unique to China . “ This seems to suggest an movement by the police or other security forces to eavesdrop on conversations of passenger , rather than for the immediate refuge and security of the taxi number one wood , ” said Phelim Kine of Human Rights Watch .
translate more pan - Gawker coverage of the2008 Olympic Games . [ WSJ ]
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