According to newly released records, the U.S. Marshals Service has used cellphone surveillance tools, sometimes known as Stingrays, on the phones of nearly 6,000 suspects. The Marshals Service accidentally confirmed its use of the devices to USA Today during a Freedom of Information Act request for a copy of the agency’s log of cases in which agents had used … Continue reading Records: U.S. Marshals Used Stingray Surveillance Nearly 6,000 Times→
The 7th Circuit federal appellate court will become the first federal appeals court to examine the Fourth Amendment issues related to cell phone surveillance tools known as cell-site simulators or stingrays. The 2013 case, known as United States v. Patrick, involves Milwaukee resident Damian Patrick, his arrest for a probation violation, and the likelihood that the police illegally used … Continue reading Stingray Surveillance Case Reaches Federal Appeals Court→
The American Civil Liberties Union of California has learned that Anaheim police maintain an inventory of cell phone surveillance devices including surveillance devices designed for Cessna planes. The Anaheim police possess three different forms of cell phone surveillance tools, according to the newly released documents. These devices are known as cell site simulators or sometimes Stingrays. In 2011, Anaheim … Continue reading Documents Reveal Anaheim, Calif. Police Using Airborne ‘Stingray’ Surveillance Fleet→
US Magistrate Judge Iain Johnston of Illinois recently announced three new requirements for government agencies that wish to deploy cell-site simulators, also known as Stingrays. For the moment, the order only applies to law enforcement agencies under the jurisdiction of Judge Johnston’s court in the Northern District of Illinois. The Electronic Frontier Foundation describes Stingrays as: [pull_quote_center] A brand name … Continue reading Federal Judge Issues New Rules for Use of Stingray Surveillance in Illinois→
On Monday, four members of the House Oversight Committee sent letters to 24 federal agencies including the Department of State and the Securities and Exchange Commission, demanding answers regarding policies for using the controversial Stingray surveillance technology. House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, ranking member Elijah Cummings, and Reps. Will Hurd (R-Texas) and Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), … Continue reading Lawmakers Demand Information on Federal Use of Stingray Surveillance→
A new report from the Center for Investigative Reporting reveals that police in Chicago and Los Angeles are using advanced cell site simulators, or “Stingray” surveillance technology capable of breaking cellphone encryption. Truth In Media has written extensively about how the devices are being used to track suspected criminals while largely operating without oversight from local, state, or federal … Continue reading Chicago, L.A. Police Using ‘Stingray’ Surveillance Capable of Breaking Encryption→
Two bills currently making their way through the California legislature would limit the use of “stingray” cell phone surveillance by law enforcement. Both bills (SB178 and SB741) were recently unanimously passed out of Assembly committees. Senate Bill 178, introduced in February by California Senators Mark Leno (D) and Joel Anderson (R), would “prohibit a government entity from compelling the … Continue reading California Considers Limiting Use of Stingray Surveillance→
For the last decade local police across the nation have been purchasing and training in the use of cell site simulators, alternatively known as Stingrays. TruthInMedia has written extensively on how the devices are being used to track suspected criminals while largely operating without oversight from local, state, or federal authorities. Exactly how the devices operate … Continue reading FBI Claims They Are Not Responsible for Secrecy on ‘StingRay’ Surveillance→
On Monday, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill into law that requires police officers obtain warrants from a judge stating that there is probable cause that the use of a cell site simulator device, or “Stingray,” will lead to evidence of criminal activity. The News Tribune in Tacoma reported that when police obtain a warrant from a … Continue reading Washington State Now Requires Police Obtain Warrants For Stingray Surveillance→
The Department of Justice plans to begin revealing details on the use of Stingray cellphone tracking tools, according a new report from the Wall Street Journal. Officials with the Justice Department told the WSJ that they have launched a review into how law-enforcement agencies use the controversial technology. StingRays are the name of a brand … Continue reading Department of Justice to Reveal New Details Of ‘StingRay’ Cellphone Surveillance→
A heavily redacted edition of a 2010 manual for the StingRay cellphone surveillance devices has been released. The manual was released through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests sent to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) by The Blot Magazine. This marks the first public release of the user manual which covers the Harris Corporation’s StingRay, … Continue reading Newly Released “StingRay” Manual Shows Company Asked FCC for Secrecy→
Speaking from the Senate floor, Senator Bill Nelson of Florida discussed how the technology “poses a grave threat to consumers’ cellphone and Internet privacy.” Nelson sent a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, asking why the company behind the StingRay has been able to secure special restrictions on who has access to details of the devices. [pull_quote_center]It’s time … Continue reading Senator Joins Americans Questioning the Use of Stingray Cellphone Surveillance→
The FBI has reportedly told various police departments throughout the U.S. to keep their use of “stingray” cellphone trackers quiet and to not inform the public of their use. A “stingray” is a cellphone signal interception device which, according to the Daily Caller, may appear to citizens as regular cellphone towers. These trackers trick cellphones … Continue reading FBI does not want citizens to know about ‘stingray’ phone trackers→
What exactly is a “Stingray”? How is it being used to track you? Find out more about this cellphone surveillance technology. Local police departments and federal agencies around the United States have been making use of cellphone tracking tools for years without warrants. This has been happening since before whistleblower Edward Snowden released his documents to … Continue reading A Guide to Stingray Cellphone Surveillance Technology→
The American Civil Liberties Union has asked the Federal Communications Commission to investigate the maker of the controversial Stingray surveillance tool for allegedly misrepresenting information regarding data collection capabilities. According to new documents obtained during a Freedom of Information Request by the ACLU of Northern California, Florida-based Harris Corporation misled the FCC about the frequency of use … Continue reading Company Behind Stingray Cell Phone Surveillance Tool Lied to the FCC→
Tallahassee, Florida – On June 3 a Florida judge ruled in favor of the American Civil Liberties Union, forcing the release of new documents related to police use of “stingray” cell phone tracking technology. The ruling deals with a case where Tallahassee police used stingray to locate a suspected rapist’s apartment without first getting a … Continue reading Florida Judge Orders Release of Details on Stingray Cell Phone Tracking Technology→
The American Civil Liberties Union and the Tenth Amendment Center have partnered with lawmakers from 16 states to introduce counter-surveillance legislation. On January 20, Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the ACLU, and Michael Boldin, executive director of the Tenth Amendment Center, released an op-ed through Time announcing the new legislation and calling for a partnership between conservatives … Continue reading Bipartisan Coalition of Lawmakers Introduce Anti-Surveillance Bills→
Democratic California Governor Jerry Brown signed two bills into law on Thursday that strengthen Californians’ digital privacy protections. Senate Bill 178, the California Electronic Privacy Act (CalEPCA), prevents state-level investigators from obtaining a suspect’s digital communications without first securing a warrant. The law also mandates that California law enforcement agencies procure a warrant before compelling tech companies, many … Continue reading Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown Signs Digital Privacy Bill Blocking Warrantless Spying→
A recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Justice regarding new rules for federal law enforcement agencies using cellphone tracking technology may not be as effective as originally touted by the DOJ. Truth In Media’s Rachel Blevins reported on the new rules: “The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Thursday that it will now require U.S. prosecutors and … Continue reading Senator Patrick Leahy, Privacy Groups Question DOJ’s New Rules on Surveillance→
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Thursday that it will now require U.S. prosecutors and some federal law enforcement agencies to obtain a search warrant in order to use cellphone tracking technology. In a statement, the DoJ said that the new policy “goes into effect immediately” and will “provide department components with standard guidance for the use of … Continue reading Justice Department Will Require Warrants For Some Cellphone Tracking Technology→
