Federals Will Need Warrant for Cellphone Surveillance

Under the new Justice Department policy announced on Thursday, federal law enforcement officials will need a search warrant before using cellphone tracking technology. This policy, just introduced, is the first step towards creating a reliable, legal standard for the federal authorities to use equipment termed as cell-site simulators that track suspected cellphones. Many people raised a voice against using the tracking system without any prior permission. Lawmakers stated that the ability to use such technology created a liability by the federal authorities of infringing on private rights as it was being used without proper accountability. 

"The policy is really designed to address our practices, and to really try to promote transparency and consistency and accountability - all while being mindful of the public's privacy interest," Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates told reporters in announcing the policy change.

Stingray, a compact device, compiles the basic cellphone data from the neighborhood with the help of tricking phones from the area where the cell tower is assumed to be. The data is then transferred to the police for further investigation to track the location of the phone without texting or calling. Although the device is unable to collect the content of the conversation, it is crucial for the federal authorities as it provides other relevant information. The technology is being considered as a vital tool to catch suspects that have done some kind of crime such as kidnapping, extortion etc. Use of this technology will act as a blueprint for law enforcement agencies but the impact is still unclear. 

A staff attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Nate Cardozo, praised the new policy and stated it to be an essential step towards decreasing crime. "We think that given the power of cell-site simulators and the sort of information that they can collect - not just from the target but from every innocent cellphone user in the area - a warrant based on probable cause is required by the Fourth Amendment," Cardozo said.