The FBI has a new surveillance tool called the "stingray" which can be used to track a cell
phone by tricking the phone into thinking it's a cell-phone tower and locking onto it. The city of San
Diego has purchased one for their law enforcement to use, but the problem with the use of this device
is that the information about it and it's use is not available to the public, or even many members of
law enforcement or the judicial system.
The FBI has prohibited "police from disclosing information about the device and how to
operate it in search warrants, affidavits, grand jury hearings, 'in response to court ordered disclosure'
or any part of a civil or criminal trial -- without written approval by the FBI". This means that the
judge of a case in which the stingray has been used, will not know that this is the form of surveillance
device is being used. Therefore if a judge signs a warrant he can not fully determine or decide if he
thinks this is constitutional because he is not made aware of the device's use.
Some information about the device has been released though, like the fact that the stingray
does not specifically lock onto one phone, but instead tracks and can receive texts, emails, or other
forms of communication from any phone in the area that it is in.
This is a breach of the privacy
of people who are not even being
targeted because their information
and private conversations are
being monitored or picked up
just because of their location.
It is also unfair that the device
and any information about it can
not be put into a case or warrant, and if it is or the FBI is uncomfortable with anything about a case
involving the stingray, they can shut the case down immediately. The device and it's secrecy could be
considered unconstitutional in it's way of getting information without anybody's knowledge besides
the FBI.
being monitored or picked up
just because of their location.
It is also unfair that the device
and any information about it can
not be put into a case or warrant, and if it is or the FBI is uncomfortable with anything about a case
involving the stingray, they can shut the case down immediately. The device and it's secrecy could be
considered unconstitutional in it's way of getting information without anybody's knowledge besides
the FBI.
To read more about this visit: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/feb/13/cell-tracker-nondisclosure/
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