S-2522 — Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act of 2025

YourVoice.Now Summary

Civil LibertiesCriminal Justice & Due ProcessTransparency & Accountability

Fake cell towers that scoop up nearby phones would need a warrant — with a $250,000 fine and a right to sue for misuse.

Civil Liberties

Warrant needed for fake cell towers — other methods tried first

A judge could sign off only after police show that other tracking methods failed, would likely fail, or would be too dangerous. Each warrant would run up to 30 days, and could be renewed for 30 more.

Notice for people named in warrants — sent within 90 days

A judge would mail a notice to anyone named in the warrant, even if the judge said no. Other people whose phones were caught could be told too, and the notice could be delayed.

Data on bystanders must be deleted — at the earliest chance

Phones that connect to the device but do not belong to the target would have to be wiped from the records. The Attorney General would write the rules for how that is done.

Limits on what gets collected — phone IDs and signal strength only

The device could only record which phones are nearby and how strong their signals are. Listening to calls or texts would still need a separate wiretap order.

Right to sue over illegal use — up to $500 each time

Anyone whose phone was caught by an illegal sweep could take the agency or person to court. They could ask for money damages, an order to stop, and their lawyer fees.

Spy agencies limited abroad — barred from targeting Americans

Spy agencies could not use these devices overseas against Americans. At home, they would have to pass new tests before a judge says yes.

Emergency use skips the warrant — one must follow in 48 hours

Police could turn one on first if a life is at risk. They would then have 48 hours to ask a court, unless they are looking for a missing person.

Some uses stay exempt — prisons, Secret Service, and equipment testing

Prisons could keep blocking smuggled phones if they post warning signs. The Secret Service, research, and gear testing would also stay outside the warrant rule.

Protections start two years later — three years for current devices

Nothing would change for two years after the bill is signed. Devices already in use could get a third year if the Attorney General says more testing time is needed.

Criminal Justice & Due Process

Evidence thrown out — if a fake cell tower was used illegally

Anything the sweep turned up would be barred from a trial or hearing. So would any lead that came from it.

What defendants get to see — collected data must be handed over

If prosecutors use the data as evidence, they would have to turn it over to the defense. That covers the raw data and anything drawn from it.

Fine for illegal use — up to $250,000

The ban would cover anyone, not just police. Private companies and people breaking it would face a fine of up to $250,000.

Transparency & Accountability

Yearly public report on use — how many phones were scanned

Four watchdog offices would send Congress one joint report each year. Each would post a public copy showing how many phones were scanned, targets or not.

Side effects disclosed to the judge — dropped 911 calls, protest use

The request would have to say if the device might block 911, crisis-line, or poison-control calls. It would also have to say if it will be used mainly at a protest.

Justice Department rules posted online — on handling bystander data

The Attorney General would write rules for handling data on people who were not targets. Those rules would have to be posted online for all to read.

Discipline after willful violations — or the watchdog must be told

If a court finds the law was broken on purpose, the agency would have to open a discipline case. If the boss says no, they must tell the watchdog why.

More about this bill

Police would need a warrant before using a fake cell tower to find a phone. These devices, often called Stingrays, pull in signals from every phone nearby, not just the one being sought. Data about people who were not targets would have to be deleted quickly. A judge could approve use only if other methods had failed or looked too dangerous. Each warrant would last up to 30 days. The warrant request would have to spell out the side effects. That includes any risk of blocking 911 calls, suicide-crisis calls, or poison-control calls. It would also have to say if the device will be used mainly at a protest. A judge could not approve a use that puts public safety at risk. Police could skip the warrant in an emergency, such as an immediate threat to life. They would then have 48 hours to ask a court for one. Using one of these devices without permission would carry a fine up to $250,000. Evidence gathered illegally could not be used in court. A person caught in an illegal sweep could sue for up to $500 each time, plus lawyer fees. Prisons blocking contraband phones, the Secret Service, and equipment testing would stay exempt. Four government watchdogs would publish a yearly count of how many phones were scanned. The rules would start two years after signing, and three years for devices already in use.

Congressional Summary

Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act of 2025This bill establishes a federal statutory framework to regulate the use of cell-site simulators. Cell-site simulators (commonly known as Stingrays) are devices that function as or simulate a cell-phone tower to identify, locate, or intercept transmissions from a cell phone for purposes other than providing ordinary commercial mobile services or private mobile services.The framework generally prohibits the knowing use of a cell-site simulator domestically by an individual or entity or the use of a cell-site simulator by an element of the intelligence community outside the United States to conduct surveillance of a U.S. person. It imposes a civil fine on an individual or entity that violates the prohibition and restricts the use of unlawfully acquired information as evidence in a legal proceeding or official proceeding.The framework contains exceptions to permit the use of a cell-site simulator in certain circumstances, such as by a law enforcement agency pursuant to a warrant or by an element of the intelligence community to conduct surveillance under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978.Finally, an individual who is the subject of unlawful use of a cell-site simulator may bring a private right of action.

Details

Congress: 119th
Chamber: Senate
Status: summarized
Action: Introduced in Senate
Action Date: 2025-07-29
Date Added: 2026-05-23
Source: Congress.gov →

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