Court Rebuffs Obama on Warrantless Cell-Site Tracking

[Bluebear]

A federal appeals court on Wednesday rejected the Obama administration’s contention the government is never required to get a court warrant to obtain cell-site information that mobile-phone carriers retain on their customers.

The decision (.pdf) by the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is one in a string of court decisions boosting Americans’ privacy in the digital age — rulings the government fought against. The most significant and recent decision came Tuesday, when a different federal appeals court said for the first time the government must obtain a court warrant for an internet service provider to grant the authorities access to a suspect’s e-mail.

The case concluded Wednesday concerns so-called historical cell-site location information, which carriers usually retain for about 18 months. The data identifies the cell tower to which the customer was connected to at the beginning of a call and at the end of the call — and is often used in criminal prosecutions and investigations.

“Prosecutors across the country use the statute in criminal investigations to obtain a wide range of evidence,” (.pdf) the administration told the Philadelphia-based 3rd Circuit...The Obama administration urged the appellate court to reconsider its position, an offer the court declined Wednesday without commenting on the merits.

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/12/cell-site-warrants

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. This is good!

I have no problem with cell-site tracking. AS LONG AS they have a warrant. This is a protection that we insist upon.

Where is the constitutional lawyer we respected?

Recommended.

[Bluebear]

2. Yes, indeed!

I am with you, no problem with the tracking WITH A WARRANT. There are checks and balances built into the system for a reason!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Exactly.

[hlthe2b]

4. Gee, I was told emphatically today that Obama ended warrantless

wiretaps and the like. Seems I was totally misrepresenting Obama admins stances on these Bush*- introduced measures.... :eyes:


good on the court.

[Bluebear]

8. !

[Union Scribe]

5. Oh, I'm sure it was one of those Obama-hating Bush appointees

We need to just trust Obama and forget this whole "checks and balances" nonsense.

:sarcasm:

[Bluebear]

7. +

[malaise]

6. Excellent

Rec

[Poboy]

9. Eat it Obama!

[Poboy]

10. .