The FBI is operating a small air force with scores of low-flying planes across the country carrying video and, at times, using cellphone surveillance technology — all hidden behind fictitious companies that are fronts for the government, per the Associated Press. The planes' surveillance equipment is generally used without a judge's approval.
From the article:
U.S. law enforcement officials confirmed for the first time the wide-scale use of the aircraft, which the AP traced to at least 13 fake companies, such as FVX Research, KQM Aviation, NBR Aviation and PXW Services. Even basic aspects of the program are withheld from the public in censored versions of official reports from the Justice Department's inspector general.
At least one Senator, Charles Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is concerned:
It's important that federal law enforcement personnel have the tools they need to find and catch criminals. But whenever an operation may also monitor the activities of Americans who are not the intended target, we must make darn sure that safeguards are in place to protect the civil liberties of innocent Americans.
These planes have the capability of mimicking cell towers and monitoring cell phones in the area, even if not in use. The FBI isn't the only agency doing this either, apparently. The DEA and Marshall's service also are operating their own fleets.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday June 04 2015, @12:05PM
The thought of the FBI trying to arrest squirrels is amusing.