The US Supreme Court says in a ruling that government needed warrant to search cellphone tower records. This goes to the heart of the Government's ability to access private location data on cell phone users that may or may not be associated with an ongoing investigation.
The challenge was brought by Timothy Carpenter, who was convicted of robbery using cell phone data. In that case 127 days worth of cell phone data was analyzed showing his cellphone in the area of the robberies.
The Government's argument collapsed in their view that there is no privacy in information knowingly transmitted to a third party which was Carpenter's cell phone providers. This has been an ongoing practice that may also affect the Government's use of a controversial cell phone tracking and interception device known as the Stingray. We will report any additional updates as the Supreme Court decision is handed down.