Cellphone tracker use lacks oversight, Michigan lawmakers told
Lauren Abdel-Razzaq
May 13, 2014 at 7:18 pm
Lansing — Experts in cellphone tracking told state lawmakers Tuesday there’s a lack of transparency in how police agencies are using former military technology to solve crimes.
“I’m sure it’s very useful in Iraq and Afghanistan but now that it’s being used on Main Street, the rules need to be different,” Christopher Soghoian, a senior policy analyst and principal technologist for the American Civil Liberties Union, told a House Oversight Committee hearing chaired by state Rep. Tom McMillin.
McMillin, R-Rochester Hills, has begun investigating the use of secretive cellphone tracking technology, including a device known as Hailstorm being used by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
He said he plans to begin writing legislation to restrict what cellphone tracking devices can be used for, and to impose penalties for abuse.
The Detroit News reported last month that Oakland County is one of about two dozen entities nationwide — and the only one in Michigan — with the $170,000 machine. So little is known about Hailstorm that even national experts will only speculate about its capabilities.
McMillin, who is running for the 8th District congressional seat, called the hearing in response to The News’ investigation.
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