MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Signs of IMSI catchers, also known as Stingrays, were intercepted at various locations across London, international channel Vice News reported Thursday.
IMSI catchers pretend to be cellphone base stations that connect phones to provider networks. The spying device intercepts unique identifiers of cellphones that ping them and tap into communications data.
Vice News said that the alleged base station outside the Ecuadorian mission was switching rapidly between network providers – a sign of a IMSI catcher. The news website cited a former senior surveillance insider who said this sophisticated interception technology is used by British police.
Assange, an Australian national, is wanted by Sweden on accusations of sexual coercion and rape. He has been residing at the Ecuadorian Embassy since 2012, fearing extradition to Sweden and then to the United States where he could face espionage charges.
