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FBI Attempts To Prevent Disclosure of Stingray Use By Local Cops
Ever since the public became aware that law enforcement is making use of StingRay devices — hardware that imitates a cellular tower so that nearby mobile
devices connect to it — transparency advocates have been filing Freedom of Information Act requests to see just how these devices are being used. But these
advocates have now found that such requests relating to local police are being shunted to the FBI, who then acts to prevent disclosure.
ACLU lawyer Nathan Wessler says, "What is most egregious about this is that, in order for local police to use and purchase stingrays, they have to get approval from the FBI, then the FBI knows that dozens of police departments are using them around the country. And yet when members of the press or the public seek basic information about how people in local communities are being surveilled, the FBI invokes these very serious national security concerns to try to keep that information private."
ACLU lawyer Nathan Wessler says, "What is most egregious about this is that, in order for local police to use and purchase stingrays, they have to get approval from the FBI, then the FBI knows that dozens of police departments are using them around the country. And yet when members of the press or the public seek basic information about how people in local communities are being surveilled, the FBI invokes these very serious national security concerns to try to keep that information private."
Ahhh, I'd figured you flipped the switch to Beta, only to find out it was still Alpha.
Imagine everything you could get away with.
"Do you know how fast you were going?" "National security"
"Why are you home so late?" "National security"
"Why did I find a camera in the toiler?" "National Security"
"Why does my television record everything I say?" "National Security"
"Why does windows bluescreen?" "National Security"
Is my device connects to one of these, can I at least get some free minutes or free data? They can even throw in some banner ads.