How ICE Is Using Fake Cell Towers To Spy On People's Phones

[LiberalArkie]

Sep 09, 2025, 11:53am EDT

It’s been some time since Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been seen using a tool known as a Stingray, or a cell-site simulator, in its attempts to find and remove undocumented immigrants. The tool tricks a phone into thinking it’s a cell tower, and when a suspect’s device connects, the cops can trace its location. Its use is controversial because anyone in the same area as the target is at risk of having their information exposed.

In a recently-unsealed search warrant reviewed by Forbes, ICE used such a cell-site simulator in an attempt to track down an individual in Orem, Utah. The suspect had been ordered to leave the U.S. in 2023, but is believed to still be in the country. Investigators learned last month that before going to Utah, he’d escaped prison in Venezuela where he was serving a sentence for murder, according to the warrant. He’s also suspected of being linked to gang activity in the country, investigators said.

When the government got the target’s number, they first got a warrant to get its location. However, the trace wasn’t precise–it only told law enforcement that the target was somewhere in an area covering about 30 blocks. That led them to asking a court for a Stingray-type device to get an accurate location.

The warrant was issued at the end of last month and it’s not yet known if the fugitive was found.

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https://archive.is/TgSBE#selection-4277.0-4277.97

[Attilatheblond]

1. Been saying for over 20 years, eventually we will have to rely on homing pigeons for safe communication

Big Brother/Big Bother can't catch 'em all.

[CrispyQ]

2. Sorry, but Big Brother is one step ahead in this case.

Birds aren't real.

From their FAQ page:

https://birdsarentreal.com/pages/faq

snip...

What is this movement’s purpose?

The Birds Aren't Real movement exists to spread awareness that the U.S. Government genocided over 12 Billion birds from 1959-2001, and replaced these birds with surveillance drone replicas, which still watch us every day. Once a preventative cause, our initial goal was to stop the forced extinction of real birds. Unfortunately this was unsuccessful, and the government has since replaced every living bird with robotic replicas. Now our movement's prerogative is to make everyone aware of this fact.

What do you mean ‘Birds Aren’t Real’?

The term “Birds Aren’t Real” refers to biological “Birds” no longer existing on United States soil. After the government forcibly made the entire species extinct in the 20th century, all of these real birds were replaced with surveillance drones designed to look just like Birds. To simplify- Birds no longer exist in the U.S. as a biological lifeform, thus, Birds Aren’t Real!

What are eggs?

The “eggs” we see in the 21st century are specifically designed by the government to appear indistinguishable from what eggs once were, when birds were real. When the government replaced the species with robotic replicas, it was key that these replicas sustained the same activities that their biological predecessors did, including producing edible eggs.

What is bird poop?

Bird poop was originally thought to be oil discharge from earlier bird drone models. After further research though, this was disproven. Bird poop irregularly falls on vehicles in large amounts. Recent studies show that 87% of Bird Poop in populated areas falls on people’s cars. Why is this? Confidential documents leaked in 2018 revealing that “Bird Poop” is actually a form of liquidated tracking apparatus. If you walk outside and notice some bird poop just “happened” to fall on your car, be aware that you are now being tracked by the United States Government. It is recommended you clean your car exterior regularly to avoid this.

I love the bird poop explanation!

[Attilatheblond]

3. Thank you for MUCH needed chuckle this morning!

I live in an area that is one of THE BEST artificial drone bird watching migratory routes in the Americas. Boy, all those ornithologists and hobbyists who come here must really feel silly!

Again, thanks for the chuckle. Now, I have to explain to my semi-feral rescue dog, who lived off the desert land for who knows how long, that those 'birds' he constantly chases are government property and he needs to stop chasing them.

[CrispyQ]

4. I love this site!

I always say I'm gonna by a tee shirt & maybe I actually will, today.

[Jilly_in_VA]

5. This is going to piss my son-in-law off BIGLY

He's worked on cell towers for 20+ years. He's also Latino (Puerto Rican), born in Brooklyn, and they'd best not try arresting him. (He's also a Social Democrat and would vote for Zohran if he lived in NYC---he told me that when he was here last.)