Proposed law would finally rein in warrantless cell-site surveillance spree

The “Geolocational Privacy and Surveillance Act” would require a probable-cause warrant for cell-site simulation surveillance, like the secretive use of the Stingray.  From Ars Technica:

“The federal circuit courts of appeal and the lower courts have been all over the map when it comes to this bread-and-butter privacy issue. Even AT&T has said it was confused about the law, and it has demanded clarity on the issue. To that end, a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers proposed legislation Wednesday that seeks to answer the question once and for all: the government would need probable-cause warrants to obtain geolocation data on suspects.

“Outdated laws shouldn’t be an excuse for open season on tracking Americans, and owning a smartphone or fitness tracker shouldn’t give the government a blank check to track your movements,” Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat of Oregon, said of the legislation he’s co-sponsoring.”

Author: S. Smith