Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Charter Communications are some of the country’s largest wireless carriers — not only do they know where you are every time you make a phone call or use your data connection, but they routinely hold onto that location information for months and in some cases years.
From data about which cell towers your smartphone has been communicating with to your specific GPS coordinates, your smartphone constantly gives off information on your whereabouts and cellphone companies are sharing that information with law enforcement according toFor example, T-Mobile retains granular latitude and longitude coordinates of devices on its network for up to 90 days. Verizon said it holds cell-site data for up to one year.
The companies say there are reasons a wireless carrier collects location information from subscribers. One main reason is simply to operate the network as consumers would expect. But other reasons include FCC rules that require carriers provide detailed information to 911 dispatchers in an emergency.
In July, Google said it would delete location data showing when users visit an abortion clinic, following concerns that a digital trail could inform law enforcement if an individual terminates a pregnancy illegally.Download the FOX10 Weather App. Get life-saving severe weather warnings and alerts for your location no matter where you are. Available free in the
Google tells me everywhere(or close to everywhere) that I've been.
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