The Stingray: How Law Enforcement Can Track Your Every Move
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Published 2017-08-29
The device that makes it possible is called a "cell site simulator." That's the generic name; Stingray is the most common brand name.
Initially developed for military use, Stingrays have made their way into local police and sheriff's departments around the country. Months ago, the I-Team sent open records requests to every law enforcement agency in our viewing area and learned that three agencies close to home have been using cell site simulators: the Wake County Sheriff's Department, Durham Police Department, and Raleigh Police Department. A spokesperson for RPD told the I-Team they stopped using theirs when the software needed to be upgraded.
The ACLU's Mike Meno has been watching Stingrays spread into local law enforcement for years.
"Like a lot of militarized technology and surveillance technology, this is something that was developed overseas and it was developed for one use, but then it comes back home and is used against our own citizens. It's used here in the States. And the government will say, 'We need to keep this confidential,' but we have constitutional rights. We're supposed to have checks and balances," he said.
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All Comments (21)
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Hearing Law Enforcement basically calling US Citizens “ Enemy Combatants” says a lot .
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Patriot Act opened the door to this kind of surveillance.
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When was the last time "anyone" ever said: "I see there is a cop in my rear view mirror and he is following me, this is a good thing"..... Probably never.
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“You don’t tell your battle plans,” you do if you’re a public servant. You serve us. You tell us everything, or we replace you. Simple as that.
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Let's build one of our own, let's track where all officials are currently are at and who their talking to.
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He is a public servant but he says"he doesn't care what people say" that should speak volumes to his integrity
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There ought to be a law that prevents law enforcement and cities from entering into secret contracts.
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They all access this data without a warrant. But if they see criminal activity which they suspected, they will manipulate other data to obtain a warrant. Edward told us all of this 11 years ago.
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Benjamin Franklin once said: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
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I just leave my phone at home when I am commiting crimes.
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"a General doesn't tell his battle plans...." There you guys go, the citizens are the enemy apparently without any war.
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I have a stingray and I use it to track police officers, their locations and personal information on them and their family members. 👍
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I am a victim of sexual assault committed by a retired state trooper. I reported it and was approached on the street several times by other retired officers wanting to know what I intended to do in the case. I was baffled how they knew where I was. I suspected my new iPhone. I now know. They also knew my conversations as they were repeated back to me. I live in fear due to this abuse of power I am a victim of a life changing crime and these Criminal officers are getting away with stalking and intimidation. Why hasn't this been a news worthy issue. Police abusing there authority to protect a criminal.
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"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." - Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution They intercept and track ALL cellular telephone calls within range. That is clearly a violation of the 4th Amendment. That seems like police are on random fishing expeditions not limited surveillance conducted according to a search warrant. A search warrant must restrict them to tracking and bugging a specific telephone number not scanning every cellular number within range.
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Invasion of privacy. No better than a thief
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"When an officer is suspicious of his wife cheat-... um, that's all I'll say."
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this is straight up creepy, people shouldn't be allowed to do this.
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"If you choose safety over freedom. Then you deserve neither."
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Glad to see that Ned Flanders is keeping an eye on and actively looking out for our civil liberties👏
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Researched this device over 10 years because of my own experience with someone misusing it. Everyone told me I was crazy and it was impossible. Now it’s finally coming to the light. Here we are in 2023 I can only imagine the upgrades that have been made. agencies have to sign NDAs to even purchase the device, that alone says a lot! There’s so much more to it than what’s being revealed to the public. Wow.
