The FBI is flying planes over U.S. cities to conduct video and cellphone surveillance, according to the Associated Press. Fly-over cities include Seattle, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Baltimore and Anaheim. The AP says it traced the FBI aircraft to "at least 13 fake companies, such as FVX Research, KQM Aviation, NBR Aviation and PXW Services."
The FBI claims its surveillance flights are used for specific investigations, but they are occurring without a judge’s approval and raise questions about government spying and civil liberties. Some FBI aircraft can track thousands of people on the ground via their cell phones, even when not in use. This latest security revelation comes amidst ongoing and heated debate in Congress about how far government surveillance can and should go.
