Judge Koh Rules Warrant Required for Historical Cell Data Search
U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh of the Northern District of California ruled that the Fourth Amendment applies to historical cell site information. As a result of this groundbreaking ruling--the first of its type in the nation--the government must obtain a search warrant to demand historical cell site information from cellphone carriers. Argued by Assistant Federal Public Defender Ellen Leonida, Judge Koh held that the location data generated by a phone automatically pinging cell towers (through continuously opperating apps and other involuntary communication) doesn't amount to a "voluntary conveyance" of information to cell phone companies.
For more, please find the ruling here.