IRS Uses Stingray Devices To Track Phones

In October, we discussed the troubling revelation that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service had its own stingray devices, which are commonly used by law enforcement to intercept phone signals and track criminal suspects. 

The IRS has now addressed these allegations (PDF), confirming that they do indeed have one of the devices, and are trying to get a second.

 The agency said it tracked 37 phones across 11 different grand jury investigations, and the devices were also used in four non-IRS investigations.

 They say, "IRS use of cell-site simulation technology is limited to the federal law enforcement arm of the IRS, our Criminal Investigation division.

 Only trained law enforcement agents have used cell-site simulation technology, carrying out criminal investigations in accordance with all appropriate federal and state judicial procedures."