U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deployed controversial Stingray technology to track a fugitive in Orem, Utah, according to a report by Forbes. The agency used a cell phone simulator to intercept data from mobile phones, allowing them to locate a Venezuelan fugitive who had escaped from prison while serving a murder sentence.
The Stingray devices mimic legitimate cell towers, causing nearby phones to connect and transmit sensitive information, including location data, without users" consent. ICE obtained a search warrant at the end of August to utilize this technology after initial tracking efforts based on the fugitive"s phone number proved ineffective, covering an area of 30 blocks.
Details surrounding the fugitive"s current status remain unclear, as it is unknown whether he has been apprehended following the use of the Stingray device. This incident raises significant privacy concerns about the use of surveillance technology by federal agents, particularly regarding its implications for civil liberties.
The use of Stingray technology reflects broader trends in law enforcement practices amid ongoing debates about immigration enforcement and surveillance. As previously reported, similar situations have sparked discussions about the balance between public safety and individual privacy rights in the digital age.
