Supreme Court rules that broad cellphone location data sweeps require warrants

Justice Samuel Alito strongly rebuked his colleagues on Monday, penning a blistering dissent that labeled the Supreme Court’s landmark decision to restrict digital police dragnets an “irresponsible escapade” that leaves law enforcement in the dark.

At a time when Americans store vast quantities of personal data in servers controlled by companies, the case raised thorny questions about the ability of police to access that information.

Chatrie conditionally pleaded guilty in 2022 to robbing a Midlothian, Virginia credit union, while continuing to press his appeal.

Police agencies and the FBI have used geofence warrants to collect this information from individuals that fall within the radius of a virtual “fence” during a particular timeframe.