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The IRS Has Stingray Devices (theguardian.com)

Posted by Soulskill on from the because-that-makes-sense dept.

An anonymous reader writes: The Guardian reports that the use of stingray technology — devices that simulate cell towers in order to gather phone data — is not limited to intelligence agencies and law enforcement. It turns out the Internal Revenue Service owns some of the devices as well. It's unknown how or why the tax agency uses the stingray devices. The only reason The Guardian figured it out was that they happened to see an IRS invoice from when they paid a company to upgrade one of their devices and provide training on its use. It's thought they're being used when the IRS collaborates with other agencies to knock down money laundering operations. "... there are currently between 2,000 and 3,000 "special agents" in the IRS who form the criminal investigation division (CID). They have the ability to get PEN register orders – the only authority needed to use Stingray devices."

5 of 83 comments (clear)

  1. Are we supposed to be more concerned? by tnk1 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The IRS has a law enforcement group that frequently goes after organized crime. I'd imagine they need to spy on criminal communications as much as anyone.

    Aside from wondering whether any agency should have them, I don't know what makes the IRS worthy of note as an operator.

    1. Re:Are we supposed to be more concerned? by JBMcB · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Because most people don't realize that nearly every executive agency has an armed "enforcement" division. It's unbelievably inefficient. There's already an executive branch agency tasked with enforcing federal law - the FBI. Why we also need the treasury department, EPA, BLM, Fish & Wildlife agency, the IRS, the NIH, NOAA, Postal Service, etc... is beyond me.

      We need the border patrol, the secret service, and the FBI. Need something guarded? Hire the border patrol. Need something investigated? Call the FBI.

      --
      My Other Computer Is A Data General Nova III.
    2. Re:Are we supposed to be more concerned? by Firethorn · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Because generalization leads to it's own inefficiencies. The EPA is good on pollution. Fish & Wildlife knows how to manage wildlife stuff.

      That being said, you are correct in wondering why they aren't subdivisions of the FBI.

      --
      I don't read AC A human right
  2. Re:The IRS Has Stingray Devices by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Who unanimously and solidly approved the federal government's use of the devices years ago, and even now as they are used against themselves, refuse to back down because they are certain that next election cycle they'll be in charge and will want to be able to use them against those damn dirty liberals.

  3. Re:Well if you have nothing to declare... by Opportunist · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Whether I have something to hide is none of your business, government.

    Whether I break the law or don't is. What I'm hiding in the privacy of my home is my business and nobody else's.

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.