The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says court warrants are not required when deploying cell-site simulators, or “stringrays,” in public places, Ars Technica reports. Stingrays are decoy cell towers that “capture locations and identities of mobile phone users and can intercept calls and texts,” the report states. Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) wrote a letter, in response to the FBI’s assertion, stating they are concerned about “whether the FBI and other law enforcement agencies have adequately considered the privacy interests of Americans.” The senators said little is known about how stingrays are used by law enforcement and the Judiciary Committee needs a broader understanding.
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