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DOJ Often Used Cell Tower Impersonating Devices Without Explicit Warrants

Posted by Unknown on from the bending-the-rules dept.

Via the EFF comes news that, during a case involving the use of a Stingray device, the DOJ revealed that it was standard practice to use the devices without explicitly requesting permission in warrants. "When Rigmaiden filed a motion to suppress the Stingray evidence as a warrantless search in violation of the Fourth Amendment, the government responded that this order was a search warrant that authorized the government to use the Stingray. Together with the ACLU of Northern California and the ACLU, we filed an amicus brief in support of Rigmaiden, noting that this 'order' wasn't a search warrant because it was directed towards Verizon, made no mention of an IMSI catcher or Stingray and didn't authorize the government — rather than Verizon — to do anything. Plus to the extent it captured loads of information from other people not suspected of criminal activity it was a 'general warrant,' the precise evil the Fourth Amendment was designed to prevent. ... The emails make clear that U.S. Attorneys in the Northern California were using Stingrays but not informing magistrates of what exactly they were doing. And once the judges got wind of what was actually going on, they were none too pleased:"

3 of 146 comments (clear)

  1. WTF?! by SternisheFan · · Score: 0, Offtopic
    Last year I submitted an "Ask Slashdot" question about cellphone security and my android phone, and I got ripped a new a***ole by the commenters (except for one who agreed it sure does exist) for it, even lost some 'karma' points over it. "Can't happen!" Cell/ bluetooth signals are secure." Now, the comments are all " Of course, anyone with a few bucks can build one from Radio Shack parts." WTF!! Did something suddenly change since a few months ago? This tech has been around for years.

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