New e-mail shows “stingray” maker may have lied to FCC back in 2010

A newly published e-mail from 2010 shows that Harris Corporation, one of the best-known makers of cellular surveillance systems, told the Federal Communications Commission that its purpose "is only to provide state/local law enforcement officials with authority to utilize this equipment in emergency situations."

That e-mail was among 27 pages of e-mails that were part of the company’s application to get FCC authorization to sell the device in the United States. "We do not comment on solutions we may or may not provide to classified Department of Defense or law enforcement agencies," said Jim Burke, a spokesman for Harris. If Harris has misrepresented how the devices are used as part of law enforcement operations, then it would mark another controversial moment in the company's shrouded history. In recent months, more information has come out about how stingrays have been used in violent crime investigations, including instances where cops have lied to courts about the use of such technology.