US Homeland Security confirm that unauthorised parties are tracking phones in Washington D.C.
Authorities fear foreign powers might be using technology to spy on American citizens
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has detected in Washington DC, what appears to be the unauthorised use of a controversial technology that allows for surveillance of people's mobile phones - although it has not been able to pinpoint who or what is causing it, it revealed in a letter released earlier this week.
The technology, a mobile-tower simulator commonly known as a StingRay, has been deployed for years by federal and local law enforcement to pinpoint suspects' locations, though its unauthorised use in the Washington area raises fears that foreign adversaries might also be taking advantage of it to spy on American citizens.
The simulators work by tricking phones nearby to register with them, rather than normal phone towers. Once the device finds the phone it is seeking, it can pinpoint its location. Some versions of the technology can also be used to eavesdrop on calls.
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden had asked the DHS whether it had detected foreign governments using the devices in the national capital region and elsewhere. The department's revelation came in response to his request, though it had not "validated or attributed such activity to specific entities or devices," officials said. It also did not provide any details on what was detected, other than to say it was "activity" consistent with the cell-tower simulator devices.
The development was first reported by the Associated Press.
Privacy advocates have long raised concerns about the government's use of the technology without a warrant, especially in criminal cases, and law enforcement in the United States has fought to keep secret how it works and when it is used. In one Florida case, prosecutors offered a robbery suspect a deal that would allow him to plead to a second-degree misdemeanour rather than show his defence attorneys the device they used.
The America Civil Liberties Union has identified 73 agencies in 25 states and the District of Columbia that own the devices, though the organisation says that count is probably low, as "many agencies continue to shroud their purchase and use of stingrays in secrecy."
The Washington Post
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments