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Uncle Sam seeks time in tower dump data grab case after judge calls it 'unconstitutional'

The Register · Connor Jones · last updated

The United States is requesting [PDF] a month-long extension to the deadline for its final decision regarding an appeal against a judge’s ruling that obtaining tower dumps is unconstitutional.

The term “tower dump” refers to law enforcement obtaining records from cell towers, specifically related to individuals’ locations and connection times, via warrants.

This type of data is typically used to aid investigations into potential crimes. In this case, the US sought such data to see whether suspected violent gang members could feasibly be connected to a string of homicides, shootings, and vehicle thefts over a 14-month period.

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