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>It would probably be a lot harder for them to get it from mobile carriers. There are multiple mobile carriers. They may not have the systems from which they co

>It would probably be a lot harder for them to get it from mobile carriers. There are multiple mobile carriers. They may not have the systems from which they could easily give law enforcement that data (Google has them, and uses the to respond). Rather, there are laws governing what data police may request under what circumstances from mobile carriers. They can either follow the rules and do all the paperwork to get data from the phone companies or they can request location data from Google, which is just as good for most purposes and much easier to obtain.

jrochkind1 5y ago
Huh, why don't these laws apply to Google? I'm interested in learning more, can you be more specific about what laws covering what data police may request apply to mobile carriers but not google, so I can learn more?
- thephyber 5y ago
  I think you will find, if you deep dive, that this is less about statutes passed by Congress and more about case law/jurisprudence derived from case rulings. Also important is that these are not two giant melting pots silos of data. Your mobile phone provider has multiple types of data that require differing burden of proof for LEOs to access. Some require an actual warrant, whereas others may be obtained simply by asking or purchasing (due to the Third Party Doctrine). Similarly, Google has massive troves of different kinds of data. Your Search Queries may not have the same level of protection as access to your Google Maps location data which may differ from WiFi wardriving, which may differ from Google Phone account data, etc. Historically, land lines had very stringent protections in US law. A “Tap and Trace” warrant had specific burden of proof and requirements for LEOs who listened in (there were fantastic scenes in the Sopranos and The Wire that showed criminals frustrating police while being spied on), but I believe mobile phone call content is governed by different statutes.

jrochkind1 5y ago

Huh, why don't these laws apply to Google? I'm interested in learning more, can you be more specific about what laws covering what data police may request apply to mobile carriers but not google, so I can learn more?

thephyber 5y ago
I think you will find, if you deep dive, that this is less about statutes passed by Congress and more about case law/jurisprudence derived from case rulings. Also important is that these are not two giant melting pots silos of data. Your mobile phone provider has multiple types of data that require differing burden of proof for LEOs to access. Some require an actual warrant, whereas others may be obtained simply by asking or purchasing (due to the Third Party Doctrine). Similarly, Google has massive troves of different kinds of data. Your Search Queries may not have the same level of protection as access to your Google Maps location data which may differ from WiFi wardriving, which may differ from Google Phone account data, etc. Historically, land lines had very stringent protections in US law. A “Tap and Trace” warrant had specific burden of proof and requirements for LEOs who listened in (there were fantastic scenes in the Sopranos and The Wire that showed criminals frustrating police while being spied on), but I believe mobile phone call content is governed by different statutes.