Carpenter v United States (2018)
The star witness, your phone
In 2011, the FBI used months of location data belonging to Timothy Carpenter’s phone without a warrant (confirmed need to take evidence). His location was found near many robberies, which got him arrested. However, the supreme court was asked if it was wrong that his location data was so easily accessible through private cell phone data.
Breakdown Verdict.
The verdict was 5-4 in favor of keeping location private unless a warrant is given. This means that ownership of a phone does not mean being watched, so the judgement warrants more attention to how the data is given.
Result Going Forward.
Carpenter v US opens the door for many different online issues, and what the police can access without a warrant It also removes the Third Party Doctrine, which means that giving data to a company forfeits the assumption of privacy. The 5 justices stated that having a phone is necessary for life now, therefore sharing location through it is not exactly voluntary.
Do you agree with the verdict?
100%
0%