The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found that the Secret Service and ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit failed to obtain the correct legal paperwork when carrying out invasive cell phone surveillance. The probes found that agencies relied on outdated or incorrect procedures, which led to inadequate documentation of their surveillance activities. These inefficiencies could have implications for future investigations, as well as challenge the legality of past operations.
Inspector General John Roth’s report found that DHS agencies often used cell-site simulators without obtaining the appropriate search warrants. The devices can be used to track a suspect’s location, even when they are not being actively communicate with a phone. Without such a warrant, law enforcement could be collecting data from innocent people who have nothing to do with their investigation.
Critics of cell-site simulators argue that they027;re an invasion of privacy and should only be used in cases where there’s a serious risk to the public. Civil liberties groups have called for a moratorium on their use until further hearings are held to measure their effects on public safety.
Critics contend that stingrays are overused andMilwaukee County sheriff’s deputies use them more than anywhere else in the country. Their concern is rooted in two core concerns: first, that Stingrays indiscriminately sweep up information from innocent bystanders; and second, that law enforcement agencies are trying to keep details about the technology secret, preferably for fear of compromising its efficacy.
