The Spy In Your Pocket
Over the past year, we’ve uncovered crucial details of cell phone tracking: from the nondisclosure agreement that police sign with the FBI to the DEA’s inventory of StingRays to baby steps taken by the Justice Department to increase transparency around cell phone tracking.
The Non-Disclosure Agreement
Before they could track cell phone data, police had to sign a NDA with the FBI
FCC, FBI can’t agree on StingRay NDA
Months later, key details about StingRay non-disclosures remain unknown
From “We can’t find it” to “You can’t have it” - FBI changes tactics on StingRay NDA denials
Law enforcement divided over releasing StingRay docs
Full disclosure at last: lawsuit reveals unredacted StingRay NDA
Federal Agencies
The Justice Department
Federal rules for cell phone tracking are a milestone, not an endpoint
Justice Department withholds cell phone tracking docs it’s already released
Drug Enforcement Agency
DEA bought millions in cell phone trackers and training, payment data shows
FBI
5,000 page doc dump
How the Patriot Act changed FBI’s policies for tracking cell phones
FBI backtracks on cell phone trackers
FBI ordered more cell phone trackers in wake of Hurricane Katrina
US Marshals Service
US Marshals Service conceals key details of millions spent on StingRays
As US Marshals director resigns amid scandal, questions mount over agency’s cell phone tracking
State Agences
Illinois State Police
Illinois State Police purchased StingRay in 2008 for $250k
Stingrays snitching on distracted drivers? Not yet in Illinois, according to state police
Local Agencies
Boston Police Department
Boston police insist they have no guidelines on cell phone data
Boston police ordered to release StingRay docs or ditch template rejections
Boston police argue that releasing StingRay docs makes devices “essentially useless”
Image by Alan Levine via Flickr and is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
24 Articles
Maine State Police “can neither confirm nor deny” use of cellphone surveillance
When we filed requests with police departments across the country for their use of cell site simulators, we expected some pushback. Nonetheless, we were taken aback when Maine State Police made it into a matter of national security.
DEA bought millions in cell phone trackers and training, payment data shows
Over the past ten years, the Drug Enforcement Administration has spent millions of dollars on cell phone tracking. Federal purchasing documents that are already posted online indicate the make and model of the tracking device, and often even the DEA field office that bought it.
Justice Department withholds cell phone tracking docs it’s already released
Despite new issuing new federal disclosure guidelines around the use of cell phone trackers, the Justice Department is still refusing to release basic information about the program - some of which has already been disclosed.
21 Requests
Rejected
Anchorage PD communications with Alaska FBI re: cell site simulators
Shawn Musgrave sent this request to the Anchorage Police Department of Anchorage, AK
Rejected
Boston PD agreements with Harris Corp/Boeing and meeting minutes re: Stingrays
Alex Richardson sent this request to the Boston Police Department of Boston, MA
Completed
Cell site simulator acquisition and use (Tacoma Police Department)
Phil Mocek sent this request to the Tacoma Police Department of Tacoma, WA
Completed
Cell site simulator acquisition and use (US Marshals Service)
Phil Mocek sent this request to the Department of Justice, United States Marshals of the United States of America
Completed
Cell site simulator documents (Boston Police Department)
Shawn Musgrave sent this request to the Boston Police Department of Boston, MA
Completed
Cell site simulator policy and training documents (DEA)
Shawn Musgrave sent this request to the Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States of America