Civil liberties groups are bracing for a battle as British Columbia鈥檚 privacy commissioner launches an inquiry into a device that allows police to secretly monitor mobile phones.
British Columbia鈥檚 privacy commissioner has launched a closed-door inquiry into the public鈥檚 right to know about Stingray, a high-tech tool that mimics a cellphone tower and tricks phones in order to scoop up everyone鈥檚 data in range, and potentially store it all.
Stingray is part of mass surveillance systems that police are fighting to keep secret.
Micheal Vonn, of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, says Stingray should not be used by law enforcement.
鈥淲hat we鈥檙e saying here is, does it help to collect the data of tens of thousands of individuals that aren鈥檛 the subjects of police investigation?鈥� Vonn said in an interview with CTV Vancouver. 鈥淣o, of course it doesn鈥檛 help.鈥�
U.S. federal agencies as well as dozens of local departments have been deploying the spying device for a decade now. But new American laws are restricting its use.
But in Canada, law enforcement from Quebec RCMP to Vancouver police are battling any disclosure.
Police in Vancouver have not confirmed whether they use Stingray. In a statement, Vancouver Police Const. Brian Montague said, 鈥淲e never discuss or provide information regarding investigative techniques or police tactics.鈥�
Criminal defense lawyer Matt Nathanson says the stakes are high and revelations regarding Stingray use could see courts flooded with conviction appeals.
鈥淚n my view, this is patently unconstitutional and if this matter will be litigated before the courts, I think the courts would be very clear in their condemnation of it,鈥� Nathanson said.
With files from CTV Vancouver鈥檚 Tom Popyk
