Police Can't Search Phones Without Warrants, Supreme Court Rules

[Jeffrey Walton <noloader () gmail com>]

http://www.newsweek.com/police-cant-search-phones-without-warrants-supreme-court-rules-256272

(Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that police
officers usually need a warrant before they can search an arrested
suspect's cellphone, a major decision in favor of privacy rights at a
time of increasing concern over government encroachment in digital
communications.

In an opinion written by Chief Justice John Roberts, the court said
that the right of police to search an arrested suspect at the scene
without a warrant does not extend in most circumstances to data held
on a cellphone. There are some emergency situations in which a
warrantless search would be permitted, the court noted.

The unanimous 9-0 ruling goes against law enforcement agencies,
including the U.S. Department of Justice, which wanted more latitude
to search without having to obtain a warrant. The ruling is a win for
digital privacy advocates.
...
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