REPS LIEU AND MCCLINTOCK REINTRODUCE BILL TO LIMIT GOVERNMENT USE OF CELL SITE SIMULATORS

WASHINGTON – Today, Representatives Ted Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) and Tom McClintock (R-CA) reintroduced legislation to protect Americans’ privacy in regards to the government’s use of cell site simulators. The bipartisan Cell Site Simulator Warrant Act puts an end to overlapping, confusing policies and laws at the federal, state and local levels by creating clear warrant requirements for use of cell site simulators by any government agency. Also known as “stingray” devices, cell site simulators are used by law enforcement agencies to track individuals and identify all the phones in an area.

 “Cell site simulators (CSS) can collect a lot of very sensitive data from a wide swath of the public,” Rep Lieu said. “By mimicking cell towers, CSS can trick phones into pinging them, which then allows deployers of CSS to collect tons of information on individuals and large groups. The government cannot use these technologies against citizens without exercising care and upholding constitutional protections. It is important that we put in place common sense limitations on how these surveillance devices can be used. I am pleased to join Rep. McClintock in reintroducing this bill to defend the privacy and civil liberties of Americans.”

 READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE BILL HERE

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