jeudi 13 février 2014

LAPD Spying On Non-Suspect Phones With Stingray

By Cornelius Nunev


What has the LAPD done now? According to L.A. Weekly, the police have used the supposedly terror investigation only StingRay technology and spied upon non-suspects.

Listening in on phone calls

The LAPD has been getting some heat lately for inappropriate use of StingRay cellular phone technology. The technology was only supposed to be used in terrorism cases, but it turns out that is not all the LAPD was doing. In fact, of the 155 StingRay cases from last year between June and September, 13 percent exposed innocent non-suspects. The LAPD officials have not commented on the technology and whether or not it was used illegally, but it was specifically given to them in 2006 with subsidies from the federal Department of Homeland Security to be able to track terrorism. It has been found that the technology is used in many burglary, homicide and narcotic cases as well.

The LAPD guides do not make it clear if this type of StingRay use is allowed legally without an order from a judge, according to First Amendment Coalition executive director Peter Scheer. He also notes that he does not think it should be allowed. Those who use the technology say it is impossible to avoid everybody else when in proximity to a suspect, so people should not be offended.

No court order needed

Civic rights activists do not like the StingRay technology because it used to be that authorities had to get permission before they could use technology such as it. Now, authorities can carry around the StingRay technology and use it in secret if they want to.

Taking a look at privacy

There are too many potential privacy violations, according to American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Linda Lye. Others agree with her too. It is unclear how StingRay technology plays a part in privacy laws, but it does need to be addressed.



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