S. 2522 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Jul 29, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryRegulates police use of cell phone tracking devices
Cell-site simulators are devices that act like cell phone towers to locate or monitor phones. This bill sets up rules that mostly ban their use inside the U.S. unless law enforcement gets a warrant from a judge first. It allows some exceptions, like for national security reasons, but makes violating these rules illegal and gives people harmed by illegal use the right to sue.
How it affects you
If police or federal agents use one of these devices to track your phone without proper authorization, you could potentially sue them and get compensation. The bill also means information gathered illegally from these devices can't be used against you in court. Most people won't notice a direct change, but your privacy protections when it comes to phone location tracking would be clearer under federal law.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Jul 29, 2025)
Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act of 2025
This 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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 2522
A BILL
Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) · Introduced Jul 29, 2025 · Crime and Law Enforcement · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jul 29, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.”