LANSING, Mich. (Sept. 1, 2017) – An electronic data protection bill introduced in the Michigan House would ban the use “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without a warrant, and end warrantless collection of cell phone data in most situations. Passage of the bill would not only protect privacy in Michigan, but would also hinder at least two aspects of the federal surveillance state.
Rep. Peter Lucido (R-36) introduced House Bill 4848 (HB4848) last month. The legislation would 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. This enables law enforcement to locate and track the person in possession of a specific phone or other electronic device. Police can also potentially sweep up communications content from any device connected to the stingray.
HB4848 would require police to obtain a warrant before deploying a stingray device, unless they have the explicit permission of the owner or authorized possessor of the device.
Similar to legislation passed in California in 2015, HB4848 would also bar law enforcement agencies from compelling …
Read more at The Tenth Amendment Center
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