Police collected cellphone data from over 20,000 people at public parks and malls and also installed video cameras in condominium buildings without a warrant during a 2014 investigation. The RCMP used a Stingray, or IMSI catcher device, which collects information including the makes, model manufacturers, network providers and unique serial numbers of phones in the area. Four people convicted for drug trafficking in the investigation are now appealing and alleging police violated the public’s privacy rights, and used the IMSI catchers in ways that weren’t covered by their warrants. (Toronto Star)

Talking point: Canadian law enforcement agencies have disclosed very little about their use of IMSI catchers. In September 2014—just a few months after this investigation—the RCMP refused to tell journalist Matthew Braga whether or not they employed the technology. In 2016, government prosecutors tried to overturn a court order requiring them to provide details about their use of a Stingray-like device. And, in 2017, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service stopped using the technology, but refused to say why and what changes an internal review had recommended. One possible reason for their tight-lippedness: an RCMP manager testified in the appeal case that the force had a non-disclosure agreement with the manufacturer of its IMSI catchers.