The FBI's internal guide for getting data from AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon (vice.com)

Article summary

A newly obtained document from the FBI outlines how law enforcement agencies can obtain location information of phones from telecommunication companies. The document provides details on what data each carrier collects, how long they retain it, and how law enforcement can access it. The data includes location information, call records, and internet browsing history. The document also mentions a tool called CASTViz that the FBI provides to law enforcement agencies to analyze cell phone tower data.

Main themes

• cellular network data collection
• law enforcement access to data
• carrier data retention policies
• privacy and security
• telecom regulation
• surveillance state

What commenters say

• Some commenters believe that changing DNS servers on cellular networks may not prevent carriers from logging or intercepting requests.
• Others argue that using VPNs or DoH can help protect user data, but it's not foolproof.
• There is a discussion about the technical aspects of cellular network encryption and the potential for carriers to access user data.
• Some commenters express concern about the amount of data retained by carriers, with one carrier holding onto data for up to 7 years.
• The use of ESNI is mentioned as a potential way to improve privacy, but its adoption is not yet widespread.
• There is a debate about the legality and ethics of carrier data collection and sharing with law enforcement.
• Some commenters mention the existence of documents that outline the relationship between carriers and law enforcement, and the potential for abuse of this relationship.