INVESTIGATION: Secrecy Around ‘Stingray’ Cell Surveillance Persists Despite Growing Transparency Efforts

The federal government, local police departments and the Harris Corporation are participating in a coordinated effort to keep the public in the dark about the full capabilities of cell site simulator surveillance devices, also known as Stingrays.

Derrick Broze
بواسطة Derrick Broze
Surveillance

HOUSTON --- Mass surveillance programs operated by an alphabet soup of three- and four-letter government agencies are an undeniable fact in today’s post-Snowden era. Whether or not most Americans are aware of the wide-ranging surveillance programs is another question, but the fact remains that the U.S. government has been monitoring communications

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Like NSA, Local Police Spy On Americans Without Warrant

Stingrays and other cell surveillance tools have been used in the U.S. for years without the knowledge of the public or even defense attorneys and judges.

Katie Rucke
بواسطة Katie Rucke

Long before the National Security Agency was caught electronically surveilling Americans without first obtaining a warrant, local law enforcement agencies in about 15 states had been using technology to collect information from nearby cellular devices -- also without obtaining a warrant. Known as a Stingray, the suitcase-sized surveillance tool

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Law Enforcement Takes Advantage Of Hazy Lines Between Public, Private Life

The expanding use of public surveillance tools, like Stingrays, among law enforcement illustrates the dire need for a clear demarcation of public and private space.

Frederick Reese
بواسطة Frederick Reese
The Atlanta Police Department unveils their new SkyWatch system to increase security, deter crime and provide police with more information. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

In 2008, then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s general counsel approved the covert purchase of a Stingray unit for the Illinois State Police. More than $240,000 in federal Homeland Security funds were used in the unit’s acquisition. Another $12,800 was spent to train four special agents on how to use the device at the Florida headquarters of Harris

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Police Keep Quiet About Cell-Tracking Technology

This Oct. 24, 2013 file photo shows a youth checking his smartphone in Glenview, Ill. Local police may be tracking your cell phone, but they’re regularly censoring information about how the technology’s used or how much it costs taxpayers.  (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File) WASHINGTON (AP) — Police across the country may be intercepting phone […]

Associated Press
بواسطة Associated Press
police

WASHINGTON (AP) — Police across the country may be intercepting phone calls or text messages to find suspects using a technology tool known as Stingray. But they're refusing to turn over details about its use or heavily censoring files when they do. Police say Stingray, a suitcase-size device that pretends it's a cell tower, is useful for

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