Homeland Security will now get warrants for Stingray surveillance

The Department of Homeland Security has a new, more constitutional policy for cell-site simulators, also known as Stingrays. Rolled out Oct 21, the new policy follows in the footsteps of the previously announced Justice Department policy, requiring explicit warrants for the deployment of the technology, except in exceptions already made by the Fourth Amendment or "exigent circumstances" like threats to human life or destruction of evidence.

"As with any law enforcement capability, the Department of Homeland Security must use cell-site simulators in a manner that is consistent with the requirements and protections of the Constitution, including the Fourth Amendment," the policy reads. It's one of the few public acknowledgements that DHS is using the technology, which has remained shrouded secrecy despite being in use for more than 10 years.