The US Supreme Court (or Scotus) could soon decide if cell phone technology is the modern day equivalent to the fingerprint.

Cell phones have become an integral part of everyday life, used by a majority of Americans.  These phones use towers to connect you to the network.  As you move locations your cell connects to the nearest tower.  This connection leaves a trail that tells the story of where you’ve been and at what times.  This information is then stored and could at some point be used by the Government.

The question is then raised: Is this cell phone “fingerprint” information protected by the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution?   “The Fourth Amendment requires governmental searches and seizures be conducted only upon issuance of a warrant, judicially sanctioned by probable cause supported by oath or affirmation”.

This argument is going in front of the Supreme Court this week in Carpenter v US

 

As oral arguments are presented to the Supreme Court this week, Justices will soon face the challenging question as to whether cell information is protected or is this information simply a modern-day fingerprint.