Electronic surveillance

THE STINGRAY: HOW LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN TRACK YOUR EVERY MOVE

You could be just about anywhere and data on your cell phone can be scooped up by law enforcement without your ever knowing. It happens all the time.

The device that makes it possible is called a "cell site simulator." That's the generic name; Stingray is the most common brand name.

Initially developed for military use, Stingrays have made their way into local police and sheriff's departments around the country. Months ago, the I-Team sent open records requests to every law enforcement agency in our viewing area and learned that three agencies close to home have been using cell site simulators: the Wake County Sheriff's Department, Durham Police Department, and Raleigh Police Department. A spokesperson for RPD told the I-Team they stopped using theirs when the software needed to be upgraded.