Computer Crimes, Hacking Misuse of FortifyFL App

J

josebarry36632

New Member
Jurisdiction
Florida
Hi there. So my son is believed to (according to our Schools Police Department's Investigators) have filed a falsified school-shooting report via the FortifyFL app- and they are telling him that if he did make it, that he can be tracked thru IP address, and other forms of stuff.

I research online, and I have identified that none of that is possible in my belief, nor legal. So, if he did do it, is there even a way for them to be able to track him, or whoever had filed said "falsified" report through the software FortifyFL? Is it possible for them to backtrack any anonymous report legally or possibly at all?

Anything helps, thank you
 
You and your son should not be talking about his criminal behavior over the internet and certainly not with the police. You both should remain silent and talk to a lawyer before talking to anybody else. The lawyer will certainly advise you to keep your mouths shut.

Let me point out to you that you are entirely wrong about your assumptions:

1. What he did is very much likely a crime.
2. He can be prosecuted.
3. He can be traced.
4. Nothing in the FortifyFL prevents those who specifically abuse it from prosecution. The anonymity, etc... cover submissions from people making bona fide reports, not those using the app to actually instigate acts of terrorism.
 
josebarry36632 said:
Hi there. So my son is believed to (according to our Schools Police Department's Investigators) have filed a falsified school-shooting report via the FortifyFL app- and they are telling him that if he did make it, that he can be tracked thru IP address, and other forms of stuff.

I research online, and I have identified that none of that is possible in my belief, nor legal. So, if he did do it, is there even a way for them to be able to track him, or whoever had filed said "falsified" report through the software FortifyFL? Is it possible for them to backtrack any anonymous report legally or possibly at all?

Anything helps, thank you
Click to expand...
Uh, yeah. Of course they will be able to track him legally. Stop posting about your son's criminal behavior on the internet. If he is criminally charged hire an attorney for him. Again, stop talking about this to anyone except his criminal defense attorney.
 
Oh, come on folks! Let son, Dad, and everyone else they know tell the POlice that "lawyer folk" online told them they couldn't be traced, it wasn't illegal anyway, blah, blah, blah.
 
josebarry36632 said:
So my son is believed to (according to our Schools Police Department's Investigators) have filed a falsified school-shooting report via the FortifyFL app- and they are telling him that if he did make it, that he can be tracked thru IP address, and other forms of stuff.
Click to expand...

How old is your son?

What did he say, to the officers, when he was told all that?

The two of you need to sit down and watch this:

DON'T TALK TO POLICE - Professor James Duane - YouTube
 
I can't speak to the legal aspects but as someone with 30 years in IT I can say the answer to the traceability question is "maybe", depending on how tech-savvy your son is and what steps he took to cover his tracks. If he was stupid then the authorities can track the source message back to a specific device/phone and not only is it legal, it's absurdly easy.

On the other extreme if your son hopped through an anonymizing VPN/dark web/etc. routed through overseas servers in certain unfriendly countries then the authorities aren't going to track anything back to a specific device, but should that be the case you have or will soon have much bigger legal issues with your son shortly.

Retain a good criminal defense attorney and shut up.
 
adjusterjack said:
How old is your son?

What did he say, to the officers, when he was told all that?

The two of you need to sit down and watch this:

DON'T TALK TO POLICE - Professor James Duane - YouTube
Click to expand...


My son didn't say barely anything. He recorded it, and also notified all of the officers of his legal documentation and that he refuses to speak to them without his parent and legal defense present, which they tried to infringe on, turn off his phone, and tell him "you're a little fking boy, I'll do what I want to you" —- of which we've filed a civil suit against the County as of Yesterdat
 
josebarry36632 said:
we've filed a civil suit against the County as of Yesterdat
Click to expand...

I wish you well as you pursue justice for your son.

I suggest you ONLY speak with your attorney from this point forward about the incident.

You should advise your son to do the same, speak ONLY with his lawyer when you or his other parent is/are present.
 
retic said:
I can't speak to the legal aspects but as someone with 30 years in IT I can say the answer to the traceability question is "maybe", depending on how tech-savvy your son is and what steps he took to cover his tracks. If he was stupid then the authorities can track the source message back to a specific device/phone and not only is it legal, it's absurdly easy.

On the other extreme if your son hopped through an anonymizing VPN/dark web/etc. routed through overseas servers in certain unfriendly countries then the authorities aren't going to track anything back to a specific device, but should that be the case you have or will soon have much bigger legal issues with your son shortly.

Retain a good criminal defense attorney and shut up.
Click to expand...

True and they have to be able to link it to an actual device. Like the person accused can be proven to be the one who sent it either via smart phone or computer. That can be difficult especially if the device is not available.
 
josebarry36632 said:
My son didn't say barely anything. He recorded it, and also notified all of the officers of his legal documentation and that he refuses to speak to them without his parent and legal defense present, which they tried to infringe on, turn off his phone, and tell him "you're a little fking boy, I'll do what I want to you" —- of which we've filed a civil suit against the County as of Yesterdat
Click to expand...

Uh oh. Recording a conversation without the consent of all parties is illegal in Florida. If you are basing your lawsuit on that recording, your son could end up being prosecuted for it if you offer it in evidence. Tread carefully.
 
josebarry36632 said:
if he did do it, is there even a way for them to be able to track him, or whoever had filed said "falsified" report through the software FortifyFL?
Click to expand...

I doubt anyone here has any level of familiarity with this app to know what is and isn't possible from an IT perspective.

josebarry36632 said:
Is it possible for them to backtrack any anonymous report legally or possibly at all?
Click to expand...

It's not clear to whom "them" refers, but I'm at a loss to understand why you might think any tracking wouldn't be legal.
 
Understand the FortifyFL app doesn't guarantee anonymity. All it does is inquire whether you want your name and contact information sent with your report along to authorities. However, if you use it to commit a crime, not only is that information going to be available to the authorities, it's going to be pretty hard to avoid as it's going to place the origin at your son's phone and provide the time and likely the exact location that it was used. Even if the app isn't smart enough for all the latter, a subpoena from the prosecutor will get your mobile provider to roll over and provide the info.

Again, stop talking about your son's criminal behavior. Get him to an attorney.
 

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