Key Points:
- Introduction of Rayhunter: Rayhunter is a new open-source tool developed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) aimed at detecting cell-site simulators (CSS), also known as Stingrays or IMSI catchers.
- Functionality: It runs on an affordable mobile hotspot and is designed to be user-friendly, enabling individuals to contribute to the detection of CSS, regardless of their technical skills.
- Purpose of CSS: CSS devices impersonate legitimate cell towers, allowing law enforcement to collect data from nearby mobile devices, including location information and unique subscriber identifiers (IMSI).
- Lack of Transparency: There is limited knowledge regarding the operational methods and extent of CSS usage, both in the US and globally. Concerns exist about their deployment against First Amendment activities.
- Gaps in Current Knowledge: Challenges in detecting CSS stem from insufficient empirical data and police reluctance to share usage logs. Prior detection methods required expensive or complex setups.
- Operation of Rayhunter: Rayhunter intercepts control traffic between a mobile hotspot and cell towers, monitoring for suspicious patterns, and providing real-time alerts to users.
- Encouraging Usage: The EFF encourages activists and journalists to use Rayhunter to gather data on CSS and their applications.
References: Electronic Frontier Foundation article on Rayhunter.
Executive Summary:
Rayhunter, developed by the EFF, is a novel open-source tool designed to empower individuals to detect cell-site simulators (CSS), enhancing public awareness of surveillance technologies used by authorities. Operating on a low-cost mobile hotspot, it offers an accessible means of monitoring cellular communications for suspicious activities indicative of CSS operation. The tool addresses notable gaps in understanding CSS functionalities and deployments, promoting user engagement in data collection for broader insights into this form of surveillance technology.
Archive Links:
12ft: https://12ft.io/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/03/meet-rayhunter-new-open-source-tool-eff-detect-cellular-spying
archive.org: Meet Rayhunter: A New Open Source Tool from EFF to Detect Cellular Spying | Electronic Frontier Foundation
archive.is: https://archive.is/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/03/meet-rayhunter-new-open-source-tool-eff-detect-cellular-spying
archive.ph: https://archive.ph/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/03/meet-rayhunter-new-open-source-tool-eff-detect-cellular-spying
archive.today: https://archive.today/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/03/meet-rayhunter-new-open-source-tool-eff-detect-cellular-spying
Original Link: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/03/meet-rayhunter-new-open-source-tool-eff-detect-cellular-spying
User Message: Meet Rayhunter: A New Open Source Tool from EFF to Detect Cellular Spying | Electronic Frontier Foundation
For more on bypassing paywalls, see the post on bypassing methods