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
Of the 155 StingRay cellular phone investigation cases the LAPD faced between June and September last year, over 13 percent of cases exposed the communications of innocent non-suspects without their awareness or consent. The LAPD has had access to StingRay technology since 2006, because of subsidies from the federal Department of Homeland Security. The intent was for StingRay to be used specifically for terrorism investigations, but the LAPD has documented proof that there have been burglary, narcotic and murder inspections where StingRay was pressed into use. As yet, LAPD officials have refused to address questions regarding the StingRay technology, such as whether the department thinks it has the legal right to use the technology in a way that invades the privacy of non-suspects.
The First Amendment Coalition executive director Peter Scheer does not think the LAPD should be able to use this kind of technology. It is virtually impossible to stay away from intercepting other people with the StingRay technology, according to those who use the technology, but the LAPD guides do not even make it clear whether or not this is unlawful.
Regulations evaded with StingRay
Civic privileges 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.
How should StingRay fit in with privacy regulations?
There are too many potential privacy violations, according to ACLU lawyer Linda Lye. Others agree with her too. It is unclear how StingRay technology plays a part in privacy laws, but it does have to be addressed.
Listening in on phone calls
Of the 155 StingRay cellular phone investigation cases the LAPD faced between June and September last year, over 13 percent of cases exposed the communications of innocent non-suspects without their awareness or consent. The LAPD has had access to StingRay technology since 2006, because of subsidies from the federal Department of Homeland Security. The intent was for StingRay to be used specifically for terrorism investigations, but the LAPD has documented proof that there have been burglary, narcotic and murder inspections where StingRay was pressed into use. As yet, LAPD officials have refused to address questions regarding the StingRay technology, such as whether the department thinks it has the legal right to use the technology in a way that invades the privacy of non-suspects.
The First Amendment Coalition executive director Peter Scheer does not think the LAPD should be able to use this kind of technology. It is virtually impossible to stay away from intercepting other people with the StingRay technology, according to those who use the technology, but the LAPD guides do not even make it clear whether or not this is unlawful.
Regulations evaded with StingRay
Civic privileges 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.
How should StingRay fit in with privacy regulations?
There are too many potential privacy violations, according to ACLU lawyer Linda Lye. Others agree with her too. It is unclear how StingRay technology plays a part in privacy laws, but it does have to be addressed.
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