Given that cell-site simulators have been used for years at home, it would be naive to think that malevolent actors, including criminals and foreign governments, would not attempt to set up stingrays in major American cities, particularly the capital.
DHS’ answers also say that the agency is “aware” of the use of stingrays in other US cities, although it did not name them.
“NPPD is aware of anomalous activity outside the [National Capital Region] that appears to be consistent with IMSI catchers,” Krebs also wrote. “NPPD has not validated or attributed this activity to specific entities or devices. However, NPPD has shared this information with Federal partners.”
In 2015, various federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, said that, in most circumstances, they will require a warrant when they use a stingray. Some states also impose similar requirements.
In 2014, the Federal Communications Commission began a task force into the “illicit” use of stingrays in America, but the investigation doesn’t appear to have produced any public reports or taken any meaningful actions.
Neither the FCC nor DHS immediately responded to Ars’ request for comment.