Here's the FBI's Internal Guide for Getting Data from AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon (2024)

A newly obtained document written by the FBI lays out in unusually granular detail how it and other law enforcement agencies can obtain location information of phones from telecommunication companies.

Much of the information reiterates what we already knew about law enforcement access to telecommunications data—how officials can request location data from a telecom with a warrant or use court orders to obtain other information on a phone user, for example. But the document does provide insights on what exactly each carrier collects, a more recent run-down of how long each telecom retains certain types of data for, and images of the tool the FBI makes available to law enforcement agencies across the country to analyze cell phone tower data.

Ryan Shapiro, executive director of nonprofit organization Property of the People, shared the document with Motherboard after obtaining it through a public record act request. Property of the People focuses on obtaining and publishing government records.

Do you have access to similar documents? We’d love to hear from you. Using a non-work phone or computer, you can contact Joseph Cox securely on Signal on +44 20 8133 5190, Wickr on josephcox, or emailjoseph.cox@vice.com.

The document, a 139 page slide presentation dated 2019, is written by the FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team (CAST).

CAST supports the FBI as well as state, local, and tribal law enforcement investigations through the analysis of call data and tower information, the presentation adds. That can include obtaining the data from telecommunications companies in the first place; analyzing tower dumps that can show which phones were in an approximate location at a given time; providing expert witness testimony; and performing drive tests to verify the actual coverage of a cell tower.

“When necessary, CAST will utilize industry standard survey gear drive test equipment to determine the true geographical coverage breadth of a cell site sector,” the presentation reads. The presentation highlights the legal process required to obtain information from a telecommunications company, such as a court order or search warrant.

Here's the FBI's Internal Guide for Getting Data from AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon (1)

The LinkedIn profile of one CAST member Motherboard found says they have a “special emphasis in historical cell site analysis which is typically used for locating phones (and the individuals attached to those phones) for cases such as kidnappings, homicides, missing persons, and robberies.”

CAST provides its own cell phone data visualization tool to law enforcement officials around the country called CASTViz for free.

“CASTViz has the ability to quickly plot call detail records and tower data for lead generation and investigative purposes,” the presentation reads. The document includes images of and instructions for the CASTViz software itself.

Nate Wessler, deputy project director of the Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), said in a phone call that “I’ve never seen a visualization of it” after viewing the document. He added that the document raises questions around what sort of assumptions are built into this tool, and what errors this software might make. (The presentation adds that maps and analysis created by CASTViz should not be taken to court without being validated for accuracy, and that testimony should only be through a qualified expert).

Here's the FBI's Internal Guide for Getting Data from AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon (2)

The document also explains how data requests from Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) such as Boost Mobile are handled, explains how to obtain location data from what the FBI describes as “burner phones,” and how to obtain information from OnStar, General Motors’ in-vehicle system. The document also provides the cost of some of this data for law enforcement to request.

The presentation provides more recent figures on how long telecoms retain data for. AT&T holds onto data such as call records, cell site, and tower dumps for 7 years. T-Mobile holds similar information for 2 years, and Verizon holds it for 1 year.

“There is no conceivable business reason they need that much,” Wessler said, referring to AT&T’s longer retention periods than other telecoms.

Here's the FBI's Internal Guide for Getting Data from AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon (3)

The slide also shows that AT&T retains “cloud storage internet/web browsing” data for 1 year. When asked what this detail entails exactly, such as websites visited by customers on the AT&T network, AT&T spokesperson Margaret Boles said in an email that ​​“Like all companies, we are required by law to comply with mandatory legal demands, such as warrants based on probable cause. Our responses comply with the law.” The document also mentions that law enforcement can request records related to wearable devices from AT&T.

Another section that provides an overview of the different engineering and location datasets held by telecoms and potentially available to law enforcement agencies tells officials to use some AT&T data “cautiously.”

“AT&T does not validate results,” the presentation reads. AT&T did not respond to a request for comment on this point.

“It’s good that there’s a disclaimer. At the same time, concerning that they’re advising law enforcement officers—state and local police—that they can ask for this stuff,” Wessler said on the AT&T data.

That section also mentioned that Verizon has a “new” location tool that law enforcement agencies can use.

Rich Young, a Verizon spokesperson, told Motherboard in an email that “This is a tool that our security team uses in response to lawful warrants and emergency requests. For example, this tool would be used in response to cases involving armed fugitives or missing children. As a common industry practice, the tool uses network-based cell site location information. All other major providers use a similar approach.”

The FBI did not respond to a request for comment.

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Here's the FBI's Internal Guide for Getting Data from AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon (2024)

FAQs

Is Verizon selling my data? ›

We share information within Verizon.

You can limit the sharing of Customer Proprietary Network Information 17 and certain credit information 18 if you do not want us to use them to market services to you that are different from the ones you have.

How far back can cell phone records be retrieved? ›

There is no set time limit. The government can subpoena past records going back as far as they exist. Most phone companies keep records for 1-2 years. Older records may be obtainable from your phone's internal storage.

How long does AT&T keep browsing history? ›

“There is no conceivable business reason they need that much,” Wessler said, referring to AT&T's longer retention periods than other telecoms. The presentation also shows that AT&T retains “cloud storage internet/web browsing” data for 1 year.

How far back does Verizon keep phone records? ›

You can sign in to My Verizon through your desktop computer to get: Talk, text and messaging activity details and spreadsheets for the last 90 days. 18 months of past bill statements, which include billed usage summaries.

Can your cellular data be tracked? ›

Phone providers can see your search history and the websites you visit, plus everything your ISP can see when you access the internet using their cellular network. When you browse the internet on your phone, your requests for websites and other online content are sent through your phone provider's network.

Can deleted text messages be retrieved for court? ›

They can recover them, with an appropriate warrant, for as long as the communication service that carried the messages retains them, or from a device to which they've been downloaded. They can only use them until the statute of limitations runs out for the crime they want to prosecute.

Can police read text messages that have been deleted? ›

If you think those deleted texts are gone forever, think again. Law enforcement can often retrieve text messages, even ones you've deleted.

Can text messages be pulled from phone records? ›

It is possible to obtain the content of text messages, but it usually requires a court order rather than a subpoena. It can also be costly to get these types of detailed records. It is possible to get location data from cell phone records.

What shows up on AT&T phone records? ›

Talk usage displays all outgoing and incoming phone calls, call time, call length, and type of call (network or Wi-Fi® calling). Text usage shows the phone numbers, type of message sent, and time sent or received if made using the cellular network. Don't see all your texts on your log?

How long does T-Mobile keep phone records? ›

If you have access to a computer, a printer, and a postpaid account, you can print up to one year of your phone records through T-Mobile.com. Log in to T-Mobile.com.

Does AT&T store actual text messages? ›

ATT, along with the vast majority of providers, do not store the content of SMS or MMS.

How to get phone records from T-Mobile? ›

Print phone records
  1. Log in to T-Mobile.com.
  2. In the menu, select USAGE.
  3. When the usage details display, choose the type of usage to print: Data. Messages. Calls.
  4. Select the line you want to view.
  5. Select Download usage records.
  6. Save the file to your desktop, then open and print it.

How far back can text messages be subpoenaed by Verizon? ›

Verizon Wireless keeps text message content for up to five days. However, they retain the metadata, like the date, sender, and recipient, for 90 days. The Verizon Security Assistance Team handles subpoenas and court orders for Verizon Custodian of Records.

Can I see my husband's text messages on Verizon? ›

If you have a question in your mind, can I see my husband's text messages on Verizon? Then let me tell you that the simple answer is "Yes". Verizon has a strict privacy policy, but you can still see someone else text messages. One method is that you will need to verify the login attempt with the confirmation code.

How do I stop Verizon from selling my information? ›

Do not sell, share or target options
  1. Consumer customers.
  2. Please log in to your My Verizon account to notify us of your choice to opt out. ...
  3. If you have multiple Verizon accounts, please login separately to each account and complete this process again so that we can recognize your choice for each account.

Does Verizon sell browsing data? ›

Verizon does not sell the personal web browsing history of our customers. We don't do it and that's the bottom line. Verizon is fully committed to the privacy of our customers. We value the trust our customers have in us so protecting the privacy of customer information is a core priority for us.

Do cell phone providers sell your data? ›

The federal agency's investigation found that each carrier sold access to customers' location information to “aggregators” without customer consent. The information was then resold to location-based service providers, skirting the law by offloading its obligation to obtain customer authorization.

Does Verizon throttle my data? ›

Yes, if you use a lot of data or the network is busy, Verizon might slow down your Internet. This is called ISP or Internet throttling. Find out how to avoid it in our article.

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