Congressman introduces legislation to protect cell phone users’ privacy

A congressman from Texas has introduced a bill aimed at protecting the privacy of cell phone users.

U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Texas, today introduced the Cell Location Privacy Act. This bill continues the work of U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, who retired to join the Fox News Channel.

This legislation would require local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant before using a cell site simulator device to locate a cell phone user. These devices, commonly known as stingrays, can capture data by imitating a cell tower.

“People have a constitutional right to privacy,” Farenthold said in a news release. “Absent exigent circumstances, law enforcement should not be able to access private information without probable cause and a warrant.”

The bill allows for exemptions related to foreign intelligence surveillance and exigent circumstances, according to a news release.