Canada security agencies probe Ottawa cell-phone snooping

OTTAWA: Canadian security agencies on Tuesday launched an investigation into the reported use of devices that can track and spy on cell phones in the capital Ottawa's parliamentary district.

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale announced the probe.

"Obviously we are very anxious to determine who lies at the source of this activity and that's why both CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service) and the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) are investigating," he said.

Earlier, public broadcaster CBC reported that it had detected the devices -- which have been used by police, security and intelligence agencies -- in Ottawa in December and January.

The so-called IMSI catchers mimic cell-phone towers to interact with nearby phones and grab their unique identifier, or International Mobile Subscriber Identity.

The number can be used to track a phone, access text messages and listen in on calls.

Using equipment that tracks IMSI catchers, CBC found IMSI catchers being used near parliament, defense headquarters, and several embassies.