Slashdot Mirror


Indiana State Police Acknowledge Use of Cell Phone Tracking Device

An anonymous reader writes "Indiana state police acknowledge use of cell phone tracking device 'Stingray', tricking all cellphones in a set distance into connecting to it as if it were a real cellphone tower. A joint USA Today and IndyStar investigation found earlier this month that the state police spent $373,995 on a device called a Stingray. Often installed in a surveillance vehicle, the suitcase-size Stingrays trick all cellphones in a set distance ('sometimes exceeding a mile, depending on the terrain and antennas') into connecting to it as if it were a real cellphone tower. That allows police agencies to capture location data and numbers dialed for calls and text messages from thousands of people at a time."

3 of 155 comments (clear)

  1. Re:My Question is by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    I assume the police are inept to handle this firehose of real-time data, and are just trying to spend down 9-11 anti-terrorist cash that US gives to agencies at every level. this is why the sheriff's dept in Wasilla, AK has an armored weaponized SWAT vehicle.

    One of those northern drunks could go nuts, you know. They do have a lot of guns.

    easy joke: they need something to drive over their bridge to nowhere.

  2. Re:RTFA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    State Police State Police State Police State Police State Police State Police
    Police State Police State Police State Police State Police State Police State
    State Police State Police State Police State Police State Police State Police
    Police State Police State Police State Police State Police State Police State
    State Police State Police State Police State Police State Police State Police

    Which do you see?

    First seen at protests in Boston--in the 1980's.

  3. Re:My Question is by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm going to hang up my hat. Cold is being reasonable and citing sources. The world must be ending. So long, and thanks for all the fish.