Dear Congressman Pallone:
June 1, 2018
Thank you for your letter regarding the recent reports of cell-site simulators operating in the Washington, D.C. area. I share your concern that cell-site simulators may be used unlawfully by foreign actors and continue to monitor reports of their use.
The Department of Homeland Security has taken the lead in assessing the potential threat from certain uses of cell-site simulators. For example, the Department's April 2017 "Study on Mobile Device Security" identified cell-site simulators as an existing and emerging threat. And the Department's National Protection and Programs Directorate recently confirmed for Senator Wyden that it continues to assess the national security risks and vulnerabilities associated with cell-site simulators, as well as methods to mitigate such risks. The Commission stands ready to aid our federal partners at the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau oflnvestigation in addressing this issue. If we had particularized evidence that certain devices were being unlawfully used within the United States, we would of course investigate the matter alongside our federal partners and take all appropriate enforcement actions.