Privacy Risk Report: Cognyte FalcoNet
Overview
FalcoNet (often referred to or misspelled as “falconer”) is a cell-site simulator and phone-tracking system manufactured by Cognyte, an Israeli surveillance technology company. The hardware functions by mimicking a legitimate cellular tower, effectively tricking nearby mobile devices into dropping their service provider’s network and connecting directly to the surveillance device.
How It Is Used
Law enforcement agencies deploy FalcoNet systems in various form factors to covertly track devices and intercept communications on the move.
- Mobile Vehicle Platforms: The core hardware can be mounted directly into SUVs, such as Chevrolet Tahoes, allowing police to sweep entire neighborhoods while driving.
- Aerial Deployment: The tracking system can be strapped to helicopters to gather mass data from the air.
- On-Foot Missions: A backpack-sized version of the system allows agents to carry the hardware during on-foot, mobile surveillance operations.
Technical Capabilities
FalcoNet provides operators with powerful surveillance tools that can rapidly aggregate massive amounts of localized data.
- Rapid Connectivity: The system can be fully operational in three minutes. It is capable of forcing thousands of nearby devices to connect to it every single minute.
- Target Identification: Once connected, the simulator triggers devices to transmit their International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) numbers. This allows operators to identify specific users.
- Location Pinpointing: Operators can pinpoint the exact coordinates of a targeted suspect if they already possess the phone number and a general location.
- Signal Downgrading: Cell-site simulators can attempt to downgrade modern device connections (such as 5G) to older 2G/GSM networks. This is done to bypass modern security protections and collect unencrypted data.
- Communications Interception: On downgraded networks, simulators can intercept call metadata, text message content, and even the audio of unencrypted phone calls.
The Privacy Risk
The deployment of mobile cell-site simulators like FalcoNet introduces significant privacy and constitutional concerns for the general public.
- Indiscriminate Data Collection: FalcoNet cannot selectively ignore devices that do not belong to criminal suspects. It intercepts the signal of every active phone in its vicinity.
- Innocent Bystander Surveillance: Devices belonging to shoppers, commuters, and innocent bystanders are swept into a massive data dragnet without their knowledge or consent.
- Fourth Amendment Concerns: Courts and privacy advocates argue that warrantless mass tracking via cell-site simulators violates Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable general searches.
- Data Retention Transparency: It is frequently unclear how long the intercepted bystander data is stored. There is also a lack of transparency regarding who has access to the data and what minimization rules are enforced by local departments.
- Public Safety Interference: Simulators can disrupt legitimate cellular service within a 500-meter radius. This can severely interfere with emergency 911 calls from unsuspecting citizens in the area.
Known Users in the United States
Cognyte’s FalcoNet and similar technologies have a growing footprint within United States law enforcement.
- Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS): In March 2026, the Texas DPS authorized a nearly $4.5 million emergency purchase to equip four Chevrolet Tahoes with FalcoNet core systems and licensed backpacks.
- Florida Agencies: The state of Florida is actively utilizing the system to canvas waters off the Keys for smuggling operations and migrant vessels. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is also a known Cognyte customer.
- Other Jurisdictions: Cognyte’s surveillance technology has been sold to the New York State Police and the Albuquerque Police Department. Federal entities like the US Department of War have also been listed as customers.