Parents could get mobile location data of missing kids under new Russian bill

The search for missing children in Russia could be sped up if a new draft bill, which allows for location data from mobile phones to be given to parents and rescue services, passes in the State Duma.

Deputy Duma Speaker and MP Irina Yarovaya, representing the majority party United Russia, has drafted a bill allowing rescue services to receive mobile data of missing children without a court warrant.

“When search for missing children is under way it is hours and minutes that influence the very possibility of saving a life and preventing some irreversible consequences. This applies to situations when children are kidnapped and to those who got lost or found themselves in a difficult situation.

If passed, mobile operators would be obliged to disclose geolocation data upon receiving a written request from parents and approval from a senior officer of the law enforcement agency that conducts the search and rescue operation.

The sponsors of the motion said that in 2017 alone about 8000 underage citizens went missing in Russia and 40 percent of those were small children. In the first three months of 2018, about 2500 minors went missing, 805 of those small children. On average 10 percent of all criminal cases instigated in Russia are launched into the incidents with missing children and teenagers.

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It's a good idea in theory but wide open to abuse from the unscrupulous.

Last Edited by keybored on 07/16/2018 06:10 AM