IMSI Catcher Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Handheld, Backpack, Vehicular, and Others), By Application (Intelligence Organization, Government Structure, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2023 – 2030

The IMSI catcher market size was valued at USD 165.0 million in 2022. The market is projected to grow from USD 179.3 million in 2023 to USD 337.0 million by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 9.4% during the forecast period. North America dominated the global market with a share of 42.79% in 2022.

IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) catcher refers to an interfering mechanism that can be used to locate and track all cell phones operating and receiving signals in a particular area. It acts as a mobile phone tower and tricks the phone into connecting to itself similar to the regular network, making it easy to access the user’s details. These are used by police forces, military organizations, security entities, and others to actively and passively monitor criminal and suspicious behavior in and around public and private amenities.

The rising development of network connectivity technologies, the growing focus on national security and border patrols, and the requirement to mitigate criminal activities and terrorist attacks are some of the factors that contribute toward the global market growth.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Increased Concerns for Security and Surveillance during Pandemic Enhanced Product Demand

The significant health and economic impacts of COVID-19 affected the usage of surveillance-based tracking and tracing tools, such as IMSI catchers, which are used globally. To ensure that policies and practices are in line with human rights, there was a need for enhanced parliamentary oversight. Governments have paid greater attention to transparency and reporting, given the rapid progress of surveillance and interception technologies.

The pandemic also gave rise to a wave of unprecedented opportunities for expanding the use of systems such as surveillance drones and movement tracking that hampered privacy and impeded the implementation of civil and political rights. For instance,

• In July 2020, the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) held a session to discuss the use of emerging digital tracking tools and human rights. The outcome of the session was fulfilled by signing resolutions and mandates related to human rights and digital tracking tools such as IMSI catcher and others.

The adoption of these catchers during the pandemic increased in the government sector as the demand for surveillance and location tracking for safety measures was a must.

LATEST TRENDS

Growing Digital Enhancements in the Market is a Key Trend

These IMSI solutions are mainly used for the detection of unauthorized users. Due to the increasing demand for IMSI for the detection of intrusions, vendors active on the market are developing advanced solutions.

Advanced IMSI detectors are integrated with intelligent surveillance solutions to improve the detection and prevention of crime. Smart IMSI surveillance systems include features such as intrusion detection, motion and acceleration detection, object classification, behavior analysis, global positioning system, GPS mapping, or vehicle tagging and tracking. Predictive crime monitoring is also expected to be enabled by advanced solutions. Hence, various market players are enhancing their offerings with emerging technologies for several end-users. For instance,

• In March 2023, Tatweer, a UAE-based technology company, introduced an undercover police vehicle designed to support and improve law enforcement, road safety, surveillance, and crime prevention.

Therefore, the increasing development of these enhanced solutions is a crucial trend that is accelerating the IMSI catcher market growth.

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IMSI CATCHER MARKET GROWTH FACTORS

Increasing Need to Mitigate Terrorist Attacks and Criminal Activities to Fuel Market Growth

The threat of criminal and terrorist activities is rising across the globe, which has demanded the deployment of these solutions. These devices can be used to reduce criminal activity such as burglary, robbery, and theft in public places and other areas. Therefore, they are developed and designed to aim for a secure and crime-free environment as well as improve citizens' quality of life.

For instance, several vendors, such as Kavit Electronics, Red Eye International Ltd., Revector, and others, are developing solutions for determining the configuration of various IMSIs. Moreover, with the rising rate of criminal activities, they are used by a large number of law enforcement agencies to investigate suspected activities. For instance,

• In April 2023, the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications warned the public about a package of fake transceiver stations used to spam mobile phones with fake SMS messages. The government arrested the criminals with the use of an IMSI catcher.

As per the Global Terrorism Index, in 2022, deaths from terrorism recorded a 9% decline to 6,701, which was 38% less than at its maximum in 2015.

As a result of these factors, the market has experienced tremendous growth, with more industries exploring the possibilities of public safety applications due to the increasing usage of these solutions to reduce criminal activities and attacks.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Concerns Related to Data Theft and Breaches through Mobile Networks May Hinder Market Growth

Law enforcement and intelligence agencies are using IMSI solutions in several countries. However, their use raises profound civil liberties and privacy concerns, with some regions strictly controlling them. Consequently, with greater emphasis on the personal privacy of individuals, these restrictions are likely to become more stringent.

By mimicking cell phone towers, they force mobile phones to connect and intercept calls, text messages, and other data in the cell phone. These factors have led to a growing backlash against the usage of such solutions. Furthermore, these solutions can be used to commit data breaches, as an attacker can easily intercept messages and calls from cell phones in crowded places such as airports, shopping malls, legal offices, and many others.

Such privacy concerns and data breaches by attackers can hinder the development of an entire industry.

SEGMENTATION

By Type Analysis

Easy-to-deploy and Flexible Features of Vehicular Type Solutions Propels Segment Growth

Based on type, the market is classified into handheld, backpack, vehicular, and other types of IMSI solutions.

The vehicular type solutions segment is estimated to grow with the highest CAGR during the study period. This can be attributed to some flexible and easy-to-deploy features that make these solutions a preferred choice for vehicular installations. The features comprise exclusive mounting for covert motorbike cases, remote management over 3G/4G backhauling datalink, streamlined panel connections with multi pin aviation connectors, and others.

The handheld solution segment accounted for the maximum revenue share for the year 2022. As these types of solutions are portable and can search and track cell phones and locate targets by recognizing their IMSI numbers, they are used by a large number of users.

By Application Analysis

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Rising Rate of Cybercrimes to Drive the Demand for IMSI Catcher Solutions across Government Structure

Based on application, the market is segmented into intelligence organization, government structure, and others. 

The government structure segment holds the maximum market share and is predicted to grow with the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Government structures use IMSI catchers to trace probable criminals or threats, monitor unlawful mobile phone usage (for example, in secured areas or prisons), and help their investigations. With the development of mobile technologies, cybercrime is increasing rapidly. For instance,

• In 2022, around 40% of internet users worldwide experienced cybercrime. Due to increasing cybercrime and other criminal activities, the adoption of these catchers to track criminals is growing among government agencies and law enforcement.

Other than law enforcement, they can be used for commercial and private security purposes.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

The market is geographically studied across North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East & Africa, and Asia Pacific.

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North America generated the highest revenue in 2022 and is estimated to grow with the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is owing to the presence of key players in the region. The availability of sufficient IT technology and the formalization of lawmakers' workplaces are fueling regional market growth. Furthermore, the usage of these solutions for surveillance and security is increasing in the region. For instance,

• According to the American Civil Liberties Union, around 75 intelligence agencies in 27 states in the U.S. have IMSI catchers. These agencies do not require a warrant to use the technology due to the Cell-site Simulator Act 2021.

Such factors boost the adoption of these solutions and enhance the market growth in the region.

As per Fortune Business Insights, Europe is anticipated to grow with a significant CAGR during the study period. Criminal activities are becoming common in Sweden. Since 2018, Swedish authorities have noted an estimated 500 bombings and 124 assassinations. However, the surge in criminal activities in Sweden is not an abnormality in Europe, as murders have augmented during the last decade across the European Union, from Hungary and Germany to Denmark and Finland. These factors are enhancing the progress of such solutions across various government organizations in the region. For instance,

• According to INTERPOL’s 2022 Global Crime Trend Report, beyond drug trafficking, money laundering and cyber-enabled crimes are also increasing in European countries. Due to this, the demand for IMSI catchers is increasing among law enforcement agencies.

Asia Pacific is expected to showcase considerable growth in the market. As cybercrimes are increasing majorly in India and China, the demand for these solutions is increasing. For instance,

• As per IBM’s X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2021, Asia accounted for around 25% of global cyberattacks, with India securing the second position.

The rising economic value for security solutions has strengthened the national cybersecurity investment of countries in the Middle East & Africa region. Qatar, Oman, UAE, Bahrain, and others are strongly moving toward digitalization in the security and observation area, which is projected to increase the IMSI catcher market share in the region.

In South America, Group-IB, a cyber-intelligence and threat-hunting firm, stated that the number of ransomware attacks in South America is increasing. Due to rising cyber and other crimes, including human trafficking, murders, and drug trafficking, law enforcement agencies have started to adopt surveillance technology, such as solutions for preventing crime and detecting criminals. However, the increasing crime rate is one of the primary reasons that is driving market growth in the region.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Rising Focus on Global Expansion to Fortify Key Players’ Market Position

The prominent market players are keen on incorporating new technologies within security solutions across different sectors. Fortifying funds to advance solutions with innovative mechanisms is one of the significant approaches players implement. Similarly, key players cooperate and form alliances with government organizations, telecom providers, and security agencies worldwide for global expansion.

List of Key Companies Profiled in IMSI Catcher Market: 

• Revector (U.K.)


• 4 Intelligence (Sweden)


• X-Surveillance (Netherlands)


• PHANTOM TECHNOLOGIES Ltd. (Israel)


• PKI Electronic Intelligence (Germany)


• KAVIT Electronics Industries LTD. (Israel)


• Septier Communication LTD (Israel)


• ISMALLCELL.BIZ (China)


• The Spy Phone (UAE)


• Comstrac Limited (U.K.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• September 2023: T-Mobile US partnered with Versa to develop the T-SIMsecure platform, which uses the IMSI and International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) specifications for clientless authentication. This has led to automatic authorization through a SIM card of devices connected to T-Mobile's network, which includes traditional networks such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and routers that are often hard to secure.


• May 2023: South African minister broadcasted a five-year exemption from the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-related Information Act. The move provided permission to police forces to use cellphone spying tools and trackers such as IMSI catchers.


• October 2022: Revector introduced the IMSI intelligence devices suite for search and rescue operations. The devices comprise a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) payload, a privately carried option (quadbike, backpack), and a more significant vehicle choice that can be deployed in a 4×4 SUV.


• February 2021: Revector announced the launch of military-standard IMSI-catcher covert. The solution would help police forces, government security entities, military special forces, prison security units, and telecoms officials to track, detect, and locate unlawful activity and preserve public safety. The technology is tactical for in-vehicle, airborne, or over-fixed site applications.


• December 2020: EUTF (Emergency Trust Fund) Africa invested USD 14.12 million in the funding program of Niger. The program customs EU support money for surveillance provision solutions such as cameras, drones, IMSI catchers, and other security software.

REPORT COVERAGE

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The IMSI catcher market research report offers a broad analysis of the market and highlights vital aspects such as top companies, product types, and solution applications. Besides this, it offers insight into the recent developments and signifies vital industry advancements. In addition to the aspects stated above, the report unifies several dynamics that have contributed to the market evolution in recent years.

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