State Bill Would Limit Police Use Of Stingray Cell Phone Tracking Unit
(CBS) -- A bill has been filed in Springfield that would limit the ways police could use so-called Stingray cell phone technology, reports WBBM's Bob Roberts.
The idea that a device similar to cell phone tower could spy on countless people prompted State Representative Ann Williams to write the bill.
"As it's a very powerful technology, we have to ensure that protections are in place for the rest of us," Williams said.
The measure would require police to immediately destroy information gathered on anyone not specifically named in a court order.
Exactly what the Stingray and other similar technology can do is secret. What is known is that it tricks cell phones in the area into giving up location information and phone serial numbers.
The ACLU says Stingrays also can block calls, 3G and 4G connections, slow service, drain cell phone batteries and employ malware in connected phones.