Issa Secures Amendment to House Appropriations Bill To Limit Stingray Use
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., successfully slipped an amendment into the House Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies appropriations bill last week that would “prohibit the use of funds to operate or disseminate a cell-site simulator or IMSI [international mobile subscriber…
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identity] catcher in the United States except pursuant to a court order that identifies an individual, account, address, or personal device,” its text said. The House adopted Issa’s amendment by voice vote, and the House approved the appropriations bill 242-183. “It becomes necessary because selective spying by using these devices, commonly called Stingray or cell site simulators or IMSI catchers, has become a reality,” Issa said on the House floor. “These sophisticated affordable mobile devices in fact spoof or convince your phone that they are a valid cell tower and allow for the gathering of communications content, including texts and emails.” Federal dollars may be used to do this “without a warrant,” he warned. “This is a narrowly crafted amendment. It in no way stops the use of these devices when a federal court has ordered and allowed the use, either the FISA [Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act] court or a common warrant issued by a judge.” Congressional scrutiny of Stingray devices has risen in the last year, and the FCC has also investigated the issue.