Police Search Cell Phones During Routine Traffic Stops

While I'm not typically a fan of the ACLU, this time I have to give them credit. I can't think of anything that is incriminating on my phone (and no off-color photographs either). However, I have to admit the thought that being pulled over for a broken tail light and having my entire phone scanned creeps me out a little. Any thoughts?

Link to article HERE

From the Article:

A US Department of Justice test of the CelleBrite UFED used by Michigan police found the device could grab all of the photos and video off of an iPhone within one-and-a-half minutes. The device works with 3000 different phone models and can even defeat password protections.

"Complete extraction of existing, hidden, and deleted phone data, including call history, text messages, contacts, images, and geotags," a CelleBrite brochure explains regarding the device's capabilities. "The Physical Analyzer allows visualization of both existing and deleted locations on Google Earth. In addition, location information from GPS devices and image geotags can be mapped on Google Maps."

The ACLU is concerned that these powerful capabilities are being quietly used to bypass Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches

There's nothing illegal or embarrassing on my phone, but a cop would have to fight it from me unless he had good reason to search it. That's just invasion of privacy.

I would be f***ed.

There's nothing illegal or embarrassing on my phone, but a cop would have to fight it from me unless he had good reason to search it. That's just invasion of privacy.

PernicioEnigma

[QUOTE="PernicioEnigma"]

There's nothing illegal or embarrassing on my phone, but a cop would have to fight it from me unless he had good reason to search it. That's just invasion of privacy.

YellowOneKinobi

My Atrix has a fingerprint scanner, I wonder if it can break through that? Either way, there's absolutely no way I'm handing my cell phone over for any reason. And another thing, How would they even know you had a phone on you unless they did a search?

Here is a little bit about the device in question:

Cellebrite UFED system Real time mobile forensics

The Cellebrite UFED Forensic System is the ultimate standalone mobile forensic device, ready for use out in the field or in the lab.

The UFED system extracts vital information from 95% of all cellular phones on the market today, including smartphones and PDA devices (Palm OS, Microsoft, Blackberry, Symbian, iPhone, and Google Android). Simple to use even in the field with no PC required, the UFED can easily store hundreds of phonebooks and content items onto an SD card or USB flash drive.

Cellebrite UFED supports all known cellular device interfaces, including serial, USB, infrared, and Bluetooth. Extractions can then be brought back to the forensic lab for review and verification using the reporting/analysis tool. Cellebrite works exclusively with most major carriers worldwide including Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint/Nextel, T-Mobile, Rogers Wireless - Canada, Orange France and Telstra Australia, as well as 140 others. This ensures that future devices are supported prior to retail launch.

SECURE EXTRACTION, COMPLETE CONTENT

The UFED allows you to extract a wide variety of data types including:

• Contacts
• SMS text messages
• Deleted text messages (SIM/USIM)
• Call history (Received, Dialed, Missed)
• Audio
• Video
• Pictures and images
• Ringtones
• Phone details (IMEI / ESN, phone number)

REPORTING CAPABILITIES

The Cellebrite UFED system comes complete with a user-friendly PC reporting and analysis software application. Concise, easy to analyze report logs can be generated in HTML, XLS, CSV, and XML formats, providing organized print-outs for use as a reference and in the courtroom.

PROVEN, USER-FRIENDLY INTERFACE

The Cellebrite UFED system is extremely user friendly, with an intuitive interface that has been proven and field tested for over 11 years with hundreds of thousands of users.

We need total transparency, but it needs to go both ways.

They have no business going through my phone when they pull me over unless I'm a suspect of dealing drugs or other illegal things. killerfist

Im usually on the side of the police on most things but you are right on this one. If im not a convicted felon or convicted of anything then there should be no reason to go through my cell phone for simple traffic violation. Im sure they have regulations stating something like this anyway

My Atrix has a fingerprint scanner, I wonder if it can break through that? Either way, there's absolutely no way I'm handing my cell phone over for any reason. And another thing, How would they even know you had a phone on you unless they did a search?

racer8dan

Don't have illegal **** on your phone, problem solved.

Or better yet, don't break the law, problem solved before you ever even encounter police.

I love when everyone is up in arms about things the police do... You don't like it, move to Mexico, gtfo out of our country then.

Don't have illegal **** on your phone, problem solved.

Or better yet, don't break the law, problem solved before you ever even encounter police.

I love when everyone is up in arms about things the police do... You don't like it, move to Mexico, gtfo out of our country then.

Buttons1990

My Atrix has a fingerprint scanner, I wonder if it can break through that? Either way, there's absolutely no way I'm handing my cell phone over for any reason. And another thing, How would they even know you had a phone on you unless they did a search?

racer8dan

Don't have illegal **** on your phone, problem solved.

Or better yet, don't break the law, problem solved before you ever even encounter police.

I love when everyone is up in arms about things the police do... You don't like it, move to Mexico, gtfo out of our country then.

Buttons1990

Agreed. I also hate how people think the police are out to F them. I cant tell you how many times ive been pulled over for speeding or doing something wrong and just by simply being nice, honest, and polite to the officer he/she would let me go scott free.

[QUOTE="racer8dan"]

My Atrix has a fingerprint scanner, I wonder if it can break through that? Either way, there's absolutely no way I'm handing my cell phone over for any reason. And another thing, How would they even know you had a phone on you unless they did a search?

surrealnumber5

[QUOTE="Buttons1990"]

Don't have illegal **** on your phone, problem solved.

Or better yet, don't break the law, problem solved before you ever even encounter police.

I love when everyone is up in arms about things the police do... You don't like it, move to Mexico, gtfo out of our country then.

KungfuKitten

And? I could care less if the police look at what is on my phone... What are they going to do? Steal my videos? Sell my information to telemarketers? Come on? Really? The only people who have a problem with this are 1) Idiots who overreact about everything. 2) Teenage idiots who have nude pics of their also teenage boy or girlfriend (child porn). 3) Idiots with illegal/illicit images/information on their phones...

Did you even read the article?

""""With certain exceptions that do not apply here, a search cannot occur without a warrant in which a judicial officer determines that there is probable cause to believe that the search will yield evidence of criminal activity...."""

You people are acting like they just pull up and with no cause at all rip everything off your phone... No, they don't do that... You people are all insane.

^

Holy s***.Umad?

That is very unconsititutional and a breach in privacy, that type of stuff make me very upset to hear. Police can check your phone with no cause or no reason!!

:evil:

That is very unconsititutional and a breach in privacy, that type of stuff make me very upset to hear. Police can check your phone with no cause or no reason!!

:evil:

OmegaAK47

Are you hiding something? Im sure the cop will have a very good reason to search you if he needed to....

[QUOTE="KungfuKitten"]

[QUOTE="Buttons1990"]

Don't have illegal **** on your phone, problem solved.

Or better yet, don't break the law, problem solved before you ever even encounter police.

I love when everyone is up in arms about things the police do... You don't like it, move to Mexico, gtfo out of our country then.

Buttons1990

And? I could care less if the police look at what is on my phone... What are they going to do? Steal my videos? Sell my information to telemarketers? Come on? Really? The only people who have a problem with this are 1) Idiots who overreact about everything. 2) Teenage idiots who have nude pics of their also teenage boy or girlfriend (child porn). 3) Idiots with illegal/illicit images/information on their phones...

Did you even read the article?

""""With certain exceptions that do not apply here, a search cannot occur without a warrant in which a judicial officer determines that there is probable cause to believe that the search will yield evidence of criminal activity...."""

You people are acting like they just pull up and with no cause at all rip everything off your phone... No, they don't do that... You people are all insane.

[QUOTE="surrealnumber5"]

[QUOTE="racer8dan"]

My Atrix has a fingerprint scanner, I wonder if it can break through that? Either way, there's absolutely no way I'm handing my cell phone over for any reason. And another thing, How would they even know you had a phone on you unless they did a search?

racer8dan

[QUOTE="KungfuKitten"]

[QUOTE="Buttons1990"]

Don't have illegal **** on your phone, problem solved.

Or better yet, don't break the law, problem solved before you ever even encounter police.

I love when everyone is up in arms about things the police do... You don't like it, move to Mexico, gtfo out of our country then.

Buttons1990

And? I could care less if the police look at what is on my phone... What are they going to do? Steal my videos? Sell my information to telemarketers? Come on? Really? The only people who have a problem with this are 1) Idiots who overreact about everything. 2) Teenage idiots who have nude pics of their also teenage boy or girlfriend (child porn). 3) Idiots with illegal/illicit images/information on their phones...

Did you even read the article?

""""With certain exceptions that do not apply here, a search cannot occur without a warrant in which a judicial officer determines that there is probable cause to believe that the search will yield evidence of criminal activity...."""

You people are acting like they just pull up and with no cause at all rip everything off your phone... No, they don't do that... You people are all insane.

[QUOTE="racer8dan"]

[QUOTE="surrealnumber5"] even if it were ted nugent?

surrealnumber5

Do they have a warrant? No? Then it's illegal.

This reminded me of the case where the Supreme Court struck down the the tactic to use thermal imaging to spot out people growing marijuana. They didnt have a warrant.

Not really related, but for some reason that came to memory.

[QUOTE="Buttons1990"]

[QUOTE="KungfuKitten"] Who decides what is the law when you have no choice but to obey it in every minute and every facet of your life? I doubt that they feel any different about you.

racer8dan

And? I could care less if the police look at what is on my phone... What are they going to do? Steal my videos? Sell my information to telemarketers? Come on? Really? The only people who have a problem with this are 1) Idiots who overreact about everything. 2) Teenage idiots who have nude pics of their also teenage boy or girlfriend (child porn). 3) Idiots with illegal/illicit images/information on their phones...

Did you even read the article?

""""With certain exceptions that do not apply here, a search cannot occur without a warrant in which a judicial officer determines that there is probable cause to believe that the search will yield evidence of criminal activity...."""

You people are acting like they just pull up and with no cause at all rip everything off your phone... No, they don't do that... You people are all insane.

Yes, because the Michigan STATE "STATE" Police having an extra tool to aid them in crime prevention/solving is the federal government trampling your constitutional rights... Tell me now, where in the constitution does it say we have a right to not have our cellphones and/or other wireless devices searched? Oh, there is a clause about privacy? Oh, but then there is a clause on that clause about warrants? Oh, and the police need a warrant to use this device on someone's phone... OH, so it is exactly the same as warrants to search property. Only now it is to search wireless devices.

Do they have a warrant? No? Then it's illegal.

This reminded me of the case where the Supreme Court struck down the the tactic to use thermal imaging to spot out people growing marijuana. They didnt have a warrant.

Not really related, but for some reason that came to memory.

DroidPhysX

On the other hand, I know that they 'claim' that these types of searches will not be done without a warrant, but it reminds me of what happens towards the end of every month here in NY. Mayor Bloomberg (and those before him) and big-shots in the police department say that they don't and never have had ticket quotas. But the last few days of every single month there is an obvious ticket blitz. When I worked in Douglaston, I literally would watch as tickets were placed on 100% of the cars on the street (regardless of wheter or not the meter was up). I'm guessing they figured enough people wouldn't bother to fight it so it is worth it. Anyway, the point is, I'm always a little leery of what law enforcemnets official/public policy is compared to what is actually done.

[QUOTE="racer8dan"]

[QUOTE="Buttons1990"]

And? I could care less if the police look at what is on my phone... What are they going to do? Steal my videos? Sell my information to telemarketers? Come on? Really? The only people who have a problem with this are 1) Idiots who overreact about everything. 2) Teenage idiots who have nude pics of their also teenage boy or girlfriend (child porn). 3) Idiots with illegal/illicit images/information on their phones...

Did you even read the article?

""""With certain exceptions that do not apply here, a search cannot occur without a warrant in which a judicial officer determines that there is probable cause to believe that the search will yield evidence of criminal activity...."""

You people are acting like they just pull up and with no cause at all rip everything off your phone... No, they don't do that... You people are all insane.

Buttons1990

Yes, because the Michigan STATE "STATE" Police having an extra tool to aid them in crime prevention/solving is the federal government trampling your constitutional rights... Tell me now, where in the constitution does it say we have a right to not have our cellphones and/or other wireless devices searched? Oh, there is a clause about privacy? Oh, but then there is a clause on that clause about warrants? Oh, and the police need a warrant to use this device on someone's phone... OH, so it is exactly the same as warrants to search property. Only now it is to search wireless devices.

I believe it all falls under the 4th amendment

Dude WTF? That isn't going to help them determine if I was speeding/wearing a seatbelt/drinking/etc. Imo this would be a clear violation of privacy.

^Holy s***.Umad?Lto_thaG

[QUOTE="Lto_thaG"]^Holy s***.Umad?dave123321

[QUOTE="Lto_thaG"]^Holy s***.Umad?dave123321

[QUOTE="Lto_thaG"]^Holy s***.Umad?dave123321

Being that you are driving on a public road and driving is a privilege you have given implied consent for some things. This is evident for drunk driving. You have to submit to a field sobriety test if thought to be driving drunk or you have to submit to a breath, blood or urine test. Failure to do so can result in suspension of your driving privileges. Now, I don't think one should have their phone scanned just for the hell of it, but if you as a driver have a wreck, your phone should be subjected to search to see if you were distracted by being in the middle of a call or texting at the time.

There should be no reason for the cops to just download your phones contents if you are just walking down the street minding your own business, but if you are picked up for some reason or stopped under suspicion of another crime, reasonable cause comes into play and to gain evidence, your phone could be searched under that premise.

I wouldn't give my phone to the police if they stopped me even though I hardly have anything on my phone apart from people's phone numbers.

[QUOTE="dave123321"][QUOTE="Lto_thaG"]^Holy s***.Umad?YellowOneKinobi

[QUOTE="YellowOneKinobi"][QUOTE="dave123321"] Dude needs to take a chill pill. dave123321

[QUOTE="racer8dan"]

[QUOTE="Buttons1990"]

And? I could care less if the police look at what is on my phone... What are they going to do? Steal my videos? Sell my information to telemarketers? Come on? Really? The only people who have a problem with this are 1) Idiots who overreact about everything. 2) Teenage idiots who have nude pics of their also teenage boy or girlfriend (child porn). 3) Idiots with illegal/illicit images/information on their phones...

Did you even read the article?

""""With certain exceptions that do not apply here, a search cannot occur without a warrant in which a judicial officer determines that there is probable cause to believe that the search will yield evidence of criminal activity...."""

You people are acting like they just pull up and with no cause at all rip everything off your phone... No, they don't do that... You people are all insane.

Buttons1990

Yes, because the Michigan STATE "STATE" Police having an extra tool to aid them in crime prevention/solving is the federal government trampling your constitutional rights... Tell me now, where in the constitution does it say we have a right to not have our cellphones and/or other wireless devices searched? Oh, there is a clause about privacy? Oh, but then there is a clause on that clause about warrants? Oh, and the police need a warrant to use this device on someone's phone... OH, so it is exactly the same as warrants to search property. Only now it is to search wireless devices.

[QUOTE="dave123321"][QUOTE="YellowOneKinobi"] You're signature.......is that Knut?YellowOneKinobi

2) Teenage idiots who have nude pics of their also teenage boy or girlfriend (child porn)Buttons1990

Well if you've got nothing to hide then what's the problem?MushroomWig

[QUOTE="dave123321"][QUOTE="MushroomWig"]Well if you've got nothing to hide then what's the problem?KungfuKitten