Mobile-Phone Case at U.S. Supreme Court to Test Privacy Protections

Justices may curb prosecutors’ access to phone location data
Privacy advocates say government must get a warrant first

WASHINGTON, D.C. - MARCH 20: Morning light shines outside The United States Supreme Court building on March 20, 2017 in Washington, D.C. The Senate will hold a confirmation hearing for Supreme Court Nominee Neil Gorsuch. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images)Photographer: Zach Gibson/Getty Images North America

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By Greg Stohr

November 21, 2017 at 9:00 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

A U.S. Supreme Court with a record of protecting digital privacy is taking up a case that may curb law enforcement officials’ power to track people using mobile-phone data.

In arguments Nov. 29, the justices will consider requiring prosecutors to get a warrant before obtaining mobile-phone tower records that show a person’s location over the course of weeks or months.