ACLU is Suing ICE For Details on How It Uses Phone Spying Devices

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit Wednesday demanding that two US Homeland Security agencies -- Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement -- release details on how they've been using powerful phone surveillance tools. From a report: The ACLU is suing after the two agencies declined to provide it with documents related to International Mobile Subscriber Identity, or IMSI, catchers, more commonly known as Stingrays. These devices pretend to be cell towers and connect with nearby phones, intercepting data that details calls, messages and device location. IMSI catchers can often pull in data from entire neighborhoods, and they're able to obtain sensitive details on people without the people even knowing. Civil liberties and privacy groups have criticized the technology for its invasive surveillance. The two agencies have denied the ACLU's requests for information since 2017, telling the civil rights organization that "no records responsive to your request were found." The assertion comes despite the fact that a House Oversight Committee investigation in 2016 found that ICE spent $10.6 million on 59 IMSI catchers and that CBP had spent $2.5 million on 33 IMSI catchers.

violating the constitution

[XXongo]

The constitution gives people the right "to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures." "Papers" is reasonably interpreted to include, in the modern era, electronic communications.

If they won't say what they are searching and seizing without a warrant, it's impossible to see whether they are violating the constitution.

Re:

[PolygamousRanchKid]

If they won't say what they are searching and seizing without a warrant, it's impossible to see whether they are violating the constitution.

They will just exercise their rights guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution against self-incrimination.

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[MobyDisk]

The 5th amendment won't protect them from a court subpoena. Even id the DHS tried that, attempts to invoke the 5th amendment would mean they have no evidence in their defense, and they would lose the case. It might even get someone thrown in jail for contempt of court.

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[Micah NC]

Pulling in the information from "entire neighborhoods" is not a subpeona-able thing.

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[HiThere]

Do remember that the Praetorian Guard was known for replacing Caesars that they disliked. And for changing their mind.

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[youngone]

Also for holding auctions for the Empire.

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[Micah NC]

Yikes. I didn't know that. I knew several generals lead troops to attack other Roman generals.

How did Rome survive again?

Wait a minute...

[ddtmm]

The assertion comes despite the fact that a House Oversight Committee investigation in 2016 found that ICE spent $10.6 million on 59 IMSI catchers and that CBP had spent $2.5 million on 33 IMSI catchers.

... and there will be another investigation, into why ICE spent over $100,000 more per unit than CBP did.

How to make a simple $7 IMSI Catcher

[wolfheart111]

Seriously https://www.youtube.com/watch?... [youtube.com]

Re:

[charlie merritt]

That easy?
I mean.... Well, I'm getting one for fun.

$75k a piece!?!?!

[GameboyRMH]

A really nice IMSI catcher should be Chinese dirtbike money, not high-end sports car money.

police should keep their methods secret

[Micah NC]

If the bad guys know how police catch them, they will use that to get away with hurting people.