Governor Jerry Brown signed into law what advocates describe as some of strongest privacy protections in the United States. Legislation which takes effect January 1st, 2016, known as CAL-EPCA, will prohibit police from searching electronic equipment and records such as email, including metadata, without a warrant. Another bill, signed into law, requires most state and local agencies acquiring a Stingray Cellphone Surveillance Device or equivalent to both conduct a public hearing before acquisition and to create a privacy policy that governs its use. A "Stingray" is a device that simulates a cellphone tower and intercepts all the cell phone traffic in its range.

On Tuesday, October 13, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider whether to approve a request by the Alameda County District Attorney to accept money from the state to acquire an upgraded Stingray known as a "Hailstorm." If approved, and if the purchase is consummated before the new year, the new Stingray law would not apply.

The hearing, beginning at 10:45 AM will take place on the 5th floor of the Alameda County Administration Building at 1221 Oak St. in Oakland.

UPDATE: The decision on approving the grant money for a Stingray upgrade was postponed to an indefinite date, probably December.

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