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Uncle Sam seeks time in tower dump data grab case after judge calls it 'unconstitutional'
The term "tower dump" refers to law enforcement obtaining records from cell towers, specifically related to individuals' locations and connection times, via warrants.
This type of data is typically used to aid investigations into potential crimes. In this case, the US sought such data to see whether suspected violent gang members could feasibly be connected to a string of homicides, shootings, and vehicle thefts over a 14-month period.
Tower dumps can include information on all connections to that tower within windows ranging from ten minutes to one hour. As such, the data returned from these requests would also include that of various individuals who are not of interest to the FBI's investigation.
United States Magistrate Judge Andrew S Harris denied the feds' four-warrant request for tower dumps in February, citing incompatibility with the Fourth Amendment.
Fourth Amendment rights under the US Constitution protect citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures.
The FBI sought the data from towers across nine locations "to help identify or eliminate suspects," and this data would include phone numbers, unique device identifiers, the dates, times, and duration of each connection, and the types of communication transmitted via the tower, such as SMS or phone call.
This type of data is typically used to aid investigations into potential crimes. In this case, the US sought such data to see whether suspected violent gang members could feasibly be connected to a string of homicides, shootings, and vehicle thefts over a 14-month period.
Tower dumps can include information on all connections to that tower within windows ranging from ten minutes to one hour. As such, the data returned from these requests would also include that of various individuals who are not of interest to the FBI's investigation.
United States Magistrate Judge Andrew S Harris denied the feds' four-warrant request for tower dumps in February, citing incompatibility with the Fourth Amendment.
Fourth Amendment rights under the US Constitution protect citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures.
The FBI sought the data from towers across nine locations "to help identify or eliminate suspects," and this data would include phone numbers, unique device identifiers, the dates, times, and duration of each connection, and the types of communication transmitted via the tower, such as SMS or phone call.
https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/19/us_tower_grab_appeal/?td=rt-3a