Several US federal agencies have obtained a mysterious new listening device designed to monitor 4G-enabled mobile phones. Very little is known about the "Crossbow" device, other than that it iterates on ISMI Stingray sensors made by Harris, used to track location data and listen to phone calls. While devices of this type are used by law enforcement and intelligence agencies around the world, the air of mystery surrounding the kit and the lack of transparency about how it is deployed has raised concerns about its potential use to infringe on freedoms. The supply documents show that the US Marshals placed an order with Harris for a €1.7 million crossbow apparatus, while the US Army and Navy made similar purchases in '' worth approximately €380,000. .
mobile surveillance
ISMI sensors, or International Mobile Subscriber Identity Sensors, can mimic the qualities of a cell phone tower and, through this mechanism, record SIM card identity, listen in on calls, access text messages, and capture data from location. These devices allow law enforcement authorities, including in the UK, to monitor the movements of known criminals without their knowledge. However, by targeting a specific person, it is possible that ISMI receivers could also intercept data related to civilian users, and also interfere with calls to emergency numbers. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has raised concerns about the lack of publicly available information about the devices and how they are used, which the organization suggests restricts the ability to assess ownership. machines. "The public, judges, and legislators cannot provide effective oversight without basic information about the capabilities of this new military-grade equipment," said ACLU member Alexia Ramirez. However, according to a spokesman for the US Marshals, the agency is not free to discuss the use of certain equipment for fear of giving criminals under investigation an advantage. “We cannot confirm the use of specific and sensitive equipment and techniques that the police may deploy. This would allow defendants to determine our capabilities and limits in this area," said Drew J. Wade, chief of the US Marshals public affairs office. "That said, it is true that US Marshals use various investigative techniques to prosecute and arrest violent criminal fugitives on the basis of predetermined probable cause... These techniques are conducted pursuant to federal law and are subject to court approval," he added. While many While app developers claim to offer solutions to detect the presence of ISMI sensors in a specific area, reports suggest that these apps are easily bypassed and therefore ineffective.