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Before Using StingRays, Police Must Sign NDA With FBI

Posted by samzenpus on from the the-first-rule-of-tracking-club dept.

v3rgEz writes Advanced cell phone tracking devices known as StingRays allow police nationwide to home in on suspects and to log individuals present at a given location. But before acquiring a StingRay, state and local police must sign a nondisclosure agreement with the FBI, according to documents released via a MuckRock FOIA request. As Shawn Musgrave reports, it's an unusual setup arrangement for two public agencies to swear each other to secrecy, but such maneuvers are becoming more common.

5 of 124 comments (clear)

  1. More common, and possibly unconstitutional... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Because if they don't get a warrant, and don't tell the judge how they acquired the evidence, it's still OK, right?

    1. Re:More common, and possibly unconstitutional... by NormalVisual · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Never happen. A previous poster alluded to parallel construction - what will happen is the suspect's calls will be listened to, then another agency will be given a time, location, and a car to look for. The suspect's car will get pulled over for failure to use a turn signal or some such, at which time a dog will be brought in, "alert" on the car, and the suspect will be arrested. These guys *know* that Stingray-gathered evidence won't hold up since the device itself can't be examined, and that operating them is contrary to FCC regulations to begin with. They can't allow any information gathered from them to be introduced into court, so parallel construction neatly solves all of their problems.

      --
      Please stand clear of the doors, por favor mantenganse alejado de las puertas
    2. Re:More common, and possibly unconstitutional... by BringsApples · · Score: 3, Insightful

      In reality, it's not so different from what would be captured via a wiretap. All this does is circumvents the need for a warrant.

      Not really. This is a silly device that will capture smart phone location and what it's doing. So if you and your drug cartel buddies want to have a secret meeting, you'll have to leave your cell at the house. Or maybe pay someone to carry your phone for you while you go to the meeting. Or maybe you could just turn your phone off when you don't want to be tracked.

      On the other hand, if you want to kidnap a person, you'll need to get rid of their cell, fast. Maybe toss it in someone's backyard/shed that you don't like. Also, just wait till one of these things hits the streets, and it's used against law enforcement agents.

      Anyone that wants a single go-to for criminal activity, or fighting crime, will have to eventually admit that they're doing it wrong, as anything that requires the use of one weapon, can easily be defeated with a few smaller actions, or inaction.

      --
      Politics; n. : A religion whereby man is god.
  2. Re:What if they break the NDA? by Charliemopps · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Who goes to jail? Everyone who signed the NDA?

    Edward Snowden. He's also responsible for all future acts of Terrorism, wars, and the color Beige.

  3. The government within the government by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    This is so frightening to think that no one can discuss what it is they are doing. This type of behavior WILL lead to secret police forces subverting the legal system; This WILL bring about a new Nazi SS, or Soviet Union KGB; This WILL be the undoing of the United States of America and the rights of the people.

    Anybody involved with these secret underground forces is not to be respected nor obeyed!!!