# SCOTUS rules a warrant is required to search cell provider location data

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-rules-a-warrant-is-required-to-search-cell-provider-location-data/816602>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [June 22, 2018, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-rules-a-warrant-is-required-to-search-cell-provider-location-data/816602 "2018-06-22T23:56:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-rules-a-warrant-is-required-to-search-cell-provider-location-data/816602/1 "2018-06-22T23:56:48Z")

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> **[16-402\_h315.pdf](https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/17pdf/16-402_h315.pdf)**
>
> 495.82 KB

In Carpenter v. United States, the Court by a 5-4 (Roberts with the 4 libs) overturned the conviction of a man who was connected to the scene of a robbery by the warrantless search (subpoena) of his cell phone records from his provider.

Although I agree with the result, I think Gorsuch has the best legal view of it. The majority test is uncertain and the results for others down the road is unclear.

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**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\
**Post date:** [June 23, 2018, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-rules-a-warrant-is-required-to-search-cell-provider-location-data/816602/2 "2018-06-23T14:21:02Z")

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More elaborate discussion on the subject over in GD [on this thread.](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=857333)