A device designed to catch drivers distracted by cellphones is one step closer to being approved in New York state, but it’s facing backlash from privacy advocates who fear it’s too intrusive.
With the “Textalyzer,” police could get a roadside glimpse into whether drivers were texting, emailing, browsing social networks, or taking a selfie while behind the wheel.
New York’s state legislature is one of several interested in allowing Textalyzers. On Wednesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo directed the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to study the technology and review any constitutional or legal issues associated with it.
“This review will examine the effectiveness of using this new emerging technology to crack down on this reckless behavior and thoroughly evaluate its implications to ensure we protect the safety and privacy of New Yorkers,” Cuomo said in a statement.
Supporters of the technology say it will only reveal phone usage, not the content of what a motorist is doing, and say that police wouldn’t be able see personal pictures or read emails or texts. If the phone were password-protected, the owner would have to unlock it first.
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