RADIO LAW: FBI AND STINGRAY VS PUBLIC RIGHT TO KNOW Tracking cell phones by tricking them into operating on a bogus network is a law enforcement tactic shrouded in secrecy. Now the FBI is under pressure to release information about it-but the bureau doesn't want to let go of 25,000 pages of documents on sophisticated cell surveillance technology. In an Arizona court case last year it was made public that the FBI had used a cell-site simulator in order to track down a suspect. The portable equipment, sometimes described as either an I-M-S-I catcher or a Stingray, covertly sends out a signal that fools all phones within a specific area into connecting to a fake network. The spy tool can force targeted phones to release unique identity codes that can then be used to track a person's movements in real time. But not everyone likes the idea of this type of law enforcement tool being used. Among them is the Electronic Privacy Information Center which is attempting to obtain internal FBI documents relating to the technology. In fact the Center is taking legal action to force the prompt disclosure of records concerning Stingray devices or other cell site simulator technologies. It alleges that the FBI has failed to comply with statutory deadlines by not handing them over quickly enough following a freedom of information request made last February. For its part, the FBI says that it has found 25,000 pages of documents that relate to the request, about 6,000 of which are classified. Because of this the agency says that it may need up to three years to process the files before they can be released. In light of the FCC's recent enforcement activities against cellular telephone jamming devices, it will be interesting to see if the regulatory agency can or will become involved in this controversial issue.
They are more than likely invading citizen's privacy with more than this technology, this is just what they got caught in the cookie jar with.
As many incidents of privacy abuse that have been documented, suppose the turd hit the fan, just how much consideration to Constitutional protected Liberties do you think they consider before using every tech-tool at their disposal?
Ask me again why I should buy a cellphone when i have a wifi enabled pda with pre-microsoft skype installed again? Plus I can change the mac address on my pda at will!
Nuts to the high tech toys. Go ham. They can find you and collect your comms. However, there are things that can be done for innocuous appearing messages that aren't.
LMAO! It's the government. Since when did they play by the rules. They are only a suggestion until they get caught, then they beg forgiveness/ignorance or find a scapegoat to take the fall. Seriously, they only let you sue them if they want, otherwise, National Security and poof.
