Illinois ACLU applauds new stingray regulation

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Illinois applauded Governor Bruce Rauner's Friday signing of legislation regulating stingray use as a “measure that increases transparency.”

Senate Bill 2343 requires authorities to delete, within 24 hours, information collected from anyone who isn't under investigation and also prohibits authorities from accessing data obtained by the device for use other than that what is authorized by a judge.

“Given the prevalence of these devices and our reliance on the technology daily in today's society, cell site simulator technology too powerful to remain unregulated,” ACLU Illinois Associate Legislative Director Khadine Bennett said in a July 22 statement.

Bennett went on to say that the legislation is similar to guidelines enacted for the FBI and that if they are good enough for federal law enforcement then they should be workable for local law enforcement as well.