Ranking Member Nelson (D-FL) Questions FCC About Use of Surveillance Technology

Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL) has asked the Federal Communications Commission to review the use of cell phone monitoring devices that are now in the hands of numerous local law enforcement agencies.

The use of the so-called StingRay device is gaining increased scrutiny not only in the media, but in Congress as well. Ranking Member Nelson wrote that he would like information on the following:

• What information the FCC may have had about the rationale behind the restrictions placed on the certification of the StingRay, and whether similar restrictions have been put in place for other devices.
• Whether the FCC inquired about what oversight may be in place to make sure that use of the devices complied with the manufacturer’s representations to the FCC at the time of certification.
• A status report on the activities of the “task force” you previously formed to look at questions surrounding the use of the StingRay and similar devices.