Arstechnica:  Bill introduced to criminalize warrantless cell phone surveillance

The use of Stingrays to capture your cell phone data should be illegal without a warrant, and one U.S. Congressman wants to make sure it is.   Article by Joe Mullin for Arstechnica The use of "stingrays" that capture data about cell phone calls has become increasingly controversial, but law enforcement agencies continue to embrace the devices. Just last week, IRS Director John Koskinen was questioned in the US Senate about his agency's acquisition of a stingray for its criminal investigations.

The use of Stingrays to capture your cell phone data should be illegal without a warrant, and one U.S. Congressman wants to make sure it is.  

Article by Joe Mullin for Arstechnica

The use of "stingrays" that capture data about cell phone calls has become increasingly controversial, but law enforcement agencies continue to embrace the devices. Just last week, IRS Director John Koskinen was questioned in the US Senate about his agency's acquisition of a stingray for its criminal investigations.

Today, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) has said he'll introduce a bill that will criminalize any use of a stingray without a warrant. He provided a draft copy of the bill to the Washington Examiner, which reports that violations would be punishable by a fine and up to 10 years in prison.

The bill (PDF) includes wide exemptions for situations involving  "emergencies that include an 'immediate danger of death,' national security or ... the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act," according to the Examiner.

The Chaffetz bill would apply to state and local agencies as well as federal ones. The American Civil Liberties Union has identified 57 agencies that own stingrays or similar devices in 22 states and the District of Columbia.

“The abuse of Stingrays and other cell site simulators by individuals, including law enforcement, could enable gross violations of privacy,” said Chaffetz in a statement on his introduction of the bill. "The fact that law enforcement agencies, and non-law enforcement agencies such as the IRS, have invested in these devices raises serious questions about who is using this technology and why. These questions demonstrate the need for strict guidelines that carry the weight of the law."

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