Range-R: We are all aware of the NSA's mass surveillance. From our phone calls, emails, and web activities in general, everything can be monitored by the authorities. But it seems they have crossed every line, using a new way of spying. Guess what?
American law enforcement agencies are using a technology that allows them to see through the walls of buildings and monitor what is happening. Once again there are questions about the protection of our privacy. Privacy has become just a concept, which by all appearances does not even exist inside our homes.
According to a recent report by USA Today, more than 50 law enforcement agencies in America, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the US Marshals, have been secretly using the new radar for the past two years. The fact came to light just last month during a hearing in Denver.
The device, called Range-R, sends out radio waves that can detect the slightest movement, (even breathing), from a distance of 15 meters, a police officer testified during a hearing describing the Range-R.
All that is required is to place the device on the outside of a house. The device operators begin transmitting radar pulses through the wall, which allows them to scan every object inside the house they are monitoring. Using the device, they can detect anything from a moving object, which they characterize as “moving” (more active) to a “breath” (less active).
Over 200 Range-R devices have been sold to “50 law enforcement agencies at a cost of approximately $6,000 each” by a New York-based company called L-3 Communications.
On its official website, the company describes:
- The device covers a 160-degree conical space and operates from a distance of approximately 15 meters.
- The Range-R is sufficient to detect human breathing, making it difficult for anyone to hide.
- It can “penetrate a common building wall, ceiling, or any type of flooring such as concrete, block, brick, wood, glass, stucco, etc. However, it cannot penetrate metal.”
- If a wall is saturated with water (has a lot of moisture), this can also reduce the device's effectiveness.
Maybe I understand why the authorities need very modern equipment to search for criminals, but I don't understand why they keep it a secret. Maybe because they also recognize that the use of such devices is unorthodox and contrary to privacy laws. And if they don't recognize it, there's a problem. Why would a search warrant be needed?
