Use of secret surveillance tool faces scrutiny in Washington

WASHINGTON — It’s technology that’s the size of a briefcase and mimics a cellphone tower. Cellphone simulators, or stingray technology, which can obtain locations, data and content for every cellphone, is facing scrutiny in Congress.

“Not only will it tell you which building you’re in, but it can tell you which floor you’re on, which room you’re in,” said Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz.

Chaffetz, who is also the House Oversight Chairman, discussed the findings of a new report about the stingray technology’s use during a forum at the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute.

“What the public doesn’t thoroughly understand is that our federal government has spent $100 million in buying these machines,” Chaffetz said.

He said the technology is being used by the FBI and departments of Homeland Security and Justice, local law enforcement and even the IRS.

“They went to great, great lengths to keep these secret, which should tell you something about these,” Chaffetz said.

The IRS said in 2015 it helped to track down money launderers, terrorists and members of organized crime.

But the American Civil Liberties Union said Congress needs to update privacy laws.

“What we see with stingrays is a classic example of how the government evades public accountability,” said Neema Singh Guliana, for the ACLU. “It’s really crazy that we have laws on the books that were written before the internet was widely used that now control our privacy.”

Two bills were introduced that would regulate the use of the technology.

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