Cell phone surveillance detected at anti-ICE protest
10 months ago
- #IMSI-catcher
- #protests
- #surveillance
- Mobile network anomalies suggesting IMSI catcher use were detected at a July 4 protest at an ICE field office in Washington state.
- ICE did not confirm or deny the use of surveillance technology, and it's unclear if a warrant was obtained.
- Federal agencies can use IMSI catchers without a warrant only in exigent circumstances, but past misuse has been reported.
- IMSI catchers mimic cell towers to collect phone identifiers, used by law enforcement and criminals alike.
- Analysis of LTE traffic at the protest showed unusual bursts of IMSI-exposing messages, indicative of potential surveillance.
- The protest was peaceful compared to a previous June 14 event, which saw clashes and vandalism.
- Local activists expressed concern over potential surveillance, likening ICE tactics to authoritarian regimes.