PHOENIX, Ariz. (April 24, 2017) – Today, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill that bans the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without a warrant in most situations. The new law will not only protect privacy in Arizona, but will also hinder one aspect of the federal surveillance state.
Sen. Bob Worsley (R-Mesa) introduced Senate bill 1342 (SB1342) back in January. The legislation will help block the use of cell site simulators, known as “stingrays.” These devices essentially spoof cell phone towers, tricking any device within range into connecting to the stingray instead of the tower, allowing law enforcement to sweep up communications content, as well as locate and track the person in possession of a specific phone or other electronic device.
SB1342 will require police to get a search warrant based on probable cause before deploying a stingray to locate or track an electronic device. It will also require law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant under existing wiretapping statutes before using a stingray to intercept, obtain or access the content of any stored oral, wire or electronic communication.
Last Monday, the House passed an amended version of SB1342 by a 57-1 vote. The amendment decreases the time between the issuance of a warrant and notification of the target from 120 to 90 days. The Senate initially passed the legislation 30-0 in February. It approved the amended House version 28-0 last week.
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Originally Posted by Ron Paul
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