The problem is you(the cellphone customer) do not own the signal your cellphone uses. I don't think your privacy is being violated do to this inconvenient fact. However if this were the case, and you owned your own cell phone network/signal, it would be a violation of privacy.

Simple solution, ditch your phone.

I've always been skepticle when it comes to the press. As for the police tapping someone's line, I doubt they are tapping random people's lines. There has to reasonable suspicion. They don't have the budget or labor force to just tap random lines and hope for results. They have targets and justly so.

but it didn't really become public knowledge until Edward Snowden revealed its existence in June 2013. Awareness has grown rapidly since then, as has use of the devices by LE all over the country.  

Simply put, an "IMSI catcher" (as such devices are called) can identify the local cellular device MAC address, number and location, including date, time and duration of a communication, as well as potentially the same information for the number called (or can lead to the acquisition of that data via court order). Voice, text and data communications from both parties can be recorded. Stingray and Hailstorm are both "older" technology now; a new generation of devices can not only intercept, but can send voice, text or data from the operator "impersonating" one of the parties to the legitimate conversation.  

There seems to be a huge fourth amendment battle brewing over the issue of domestic spying and fourth amendment implications of the devices. I, for one, am an advocate of the proposition that I have a reasonable expectation of privacy in my communications that are not made in public, whether written on paper, spoken or captured/transmitted electronically; and that fourth amendment search and seizure protections should extend to these my "..papers, and effects..".  

Impact on the hobby? LE just has to say "human trafficking" and the federal dollars begin to flow. You don't think every podunk Sheriff in the country could afford to deploy this type of technology without federal "Homeland Security" $$ did you? Yeah, "trust them" to use it "right". Next time you make a phone call or send an email, say "Hi" to Big Brother, will you? Be courteous!

A few links:

http://www.computerworld.com/article/2600348/mobile-security/are-your-calls-being-intercepted-17-fake-cell-towers-discovered-in-one-month.html

http://www.computerworld.com/article/2473483/data-privacy/fighting-unconstitutional-stingray-phone-surveillance-that-tracks-innocent-people.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/08/11/feds-to-study-illegal-use-of-spy-gear/

https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/fourth_amendment

Do you have any idea how many mobile devices there are in the Baltimore area? I see three guys on their cellphones right now in a pretty much empty shop. Now figure that there are over 600,000 residents and probably another 100,000 to 150,000 visitors and commuters. And then figure some of them have two or more mobile devices, and you start to see how daunting the task of randomly sifting through all of these devices is. And anyway, BPD clears just over half of homicides. What makes you think they could accurately identify, find, and take action against a hobbyist or an escort?

You have bigger problems giving personal information to ladies/agencies for screening, using a personal cellphone (not a burner) or personal email address.

Go find something useful to worry about.

ridiculous events of how police having fun going after adult hobbies .. it is EXACTLY area where they will test the system
 You know before star using it for serious crimes  they would test it hunting little birds.
 So why you think they would not??
 I wonder ?

But again as about myself - I rare if NEVER use phone even to talk about dates

All via emails and way ahead of time.

Including and hotel info and setting up time to meet as to room number- it is always possible to meet at arranged time on parking lot or in the bar - all by emails .

As well if you do not display your phone on adult service websites ..( for ladies) how they would know it uses for "criminal" sex?
You can text room  number to  your  friend too ..
 just do not talk about services and dollars.  
I think all the same rules as it was before  
 Just more tools to catch those stupid johns and not smart women  who allow themselves to be involved in phone  conversations about sex and  with number listed on adult sites.

Again - wise discreet men  always will find safe sexy woman to have a safe date.
 But .. again .. I by some reasons believe that this system  will be tested exactly on adult community.
 You know .. it is  their kind of fun..

I would hope if the police decided to waste time spying on escorts and clients phones, they would go after the loser ass pimps and pathetic sorry pimped girls first. Which I imagine they would. Pimps get felonies and 10-12years in prison. Prositutues get misdemors and a traffic ticket... They dont want/care about us independent girls. Truly. Don't be paranoid guys and always play safe of course

I just dont see them "testing"  new technology on seemingly less offensive prostitutes versus homicides Doesn't seem to make sense. They don't base their testing new things on severity of a crime or "hunting little birds"? Wouldnt they practice any new technology/devices/methods in a lab or in office first and work out all the kinks before even coming to actual crime?

But I dont really know I've never been a cop or a cell phone technology person ha