The cop was trained to use this tool, and likely would not have had the technical know how to achieve this on his own.
The existence of similar tools doesn't reduce the abuse the officer committed.
The existence of similar tools doesn't reduce the abuse the officer committed.
And trained to use this tool? It doesn't take training to type a person's name into a textfield. Try going to Google and typing in a full name and city. Chances are you'll find the address, past addresses, phone numbers and roommates and family members. Probably not for yourself because most people on this site understand tech, but try it for some of your less tech/privacy aware friends.