Santa Clara Supes Approve Controversial Cellphone Tracking Device Known As 'Stingray'
SANTA CLARA (CBS S) -- The Santa Clara County Sheriff's department is getting a controversial cell phone tracking device.
It's called the "International Mobile Subscriber Identity Catcher," and more commonly known as Stingray.
The technology is a suitcase-size device that acts like a cellphone tower. The Stingray can highjack any phone within its radius. The mobile device is fooled into thinking Stingray is the wireless carrier.
Law enforcement officials say it helps track criminals and missing persons, but privacy advocates are concerned about the information gathered on innocent civilians. They argue Stingray could even be used to get data about people participating in demonstrations.
The phone tracking device is already in use in San Jose, Fremont and Oakland. Lawmakers in Santa Clara County approved the purchase of the technology after a public hearing Tuesday.
Santa Clara County will pay for the device with an approved $500,000 federal Homeland Security grant.