Judge says reporter can’t get public records about cops’ "stingray" use
A local judge in Arizona ruled Friday that the Tucson Police Department (TPD) does not have to disclose records related to the use of stingrays, also known as cell-site simulators, under the state’s public records act.
According to a Saturday report from Capitol Media Services, a state news wire, complying with reporter Beau Hodai’s public records request "would give criminals a road map for how to defeat the device, which is used not only by Tucson but other local and national police agencies." Hodai sued the TPD and the City of Tucson in March 2014 to force them to hand over such records.
The devices are often used covertly by local and federal law enforcement to locate target cellphones and their respective owners. However, stingrays also sweep up cell data of innocent people nearby who have no idea that such collection is taking place. Stingrays can be used to intercept voice calls and text messages as well.
