Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Feds Admit Stingray Can Disrupt Bystanders' Communications

Posted by samzenpus on from the you're-breaking-up dept.

linuxwrangler writes The government has fought hard to keep details about use and effects of the controversial Stingray device secret. But this Wired article points to recently released documents in which the government admits that the device can cause collateral damage to other network users. The controversy has heated to the point that Florida senator Bill Nelson has made statements that such devices will inevitably force lawmakers to come up with new ways to protect privacy — a comment that is remarkable considering that the Stingray is produced by Harris Corporation which is headquartered in Nelson's home state.

3 of 194 comments (clear)

  1. Can disrupt? How about INTENDED to disrupt! by redelm · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Is this StingRay thing even FCC licenced? What about the operators?

    Looks like it performs indiscriminate MiTM attacks. Particularly egregious, since it could probably be tuned with software to only intercept those EEIDs for which a warrent was issued.

    No time for a warrent? Then how did the device magically appear on-scene? It was called-out, and so could a warrent be.

    1. Re:Can disrupt? How about INTENDED to disrupt! by Obfuscant · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Is this StingRay thing even FCC licenced? What about the operators?

      The operators are FBI. They aren't subject to FCC rules or licenses. NTIA.

  2. Stingray detector? by hawguy · · Score: 4, Interesting

    So I wonder if all of this excess interference means that a Stingray detector could be created? Privacy minded volunteers could run a SDR that looks for an increase in the noise floor or other indications that a Stingray is in use, and update a central repository for a real-time map of everywhere a Stingray is in use.

    If Law Enforcement won't reveal when they are using it, maybe citizens can find out out their own.