ACLU: Michigan Police Unlawfully Downloading Driver’s Cellphone Data? | Prince William Traffic Ticket Attorney
The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan – ACLU is questioning the Michigan State Police after receiving from what the ACLU said was a credible tip alleging that Michigan State Police were misusing a data extraction device by unlawfully obtaining data from driver’s cellphones during routine traffic stops.
The ACLU is pushing this issue citing that the Michigan State Police may be violating Fourth Amendment protection against unlawful searches during traffic stops and just wants to confirm that the Michigan State Police are not using the data extraction device without the driver’s consent, reasonable cause or proper search warrants.
ACLU of Michigan April 13, 2011 letter to Michigan State Police
They don’t say anything about their past behavior. It’s a carefully crafted statement.
- Kary Moss, executive director of the ACLU of Michigan
Since 2008, the ACLU has been trying to get information to no avail from the Michigan State Police MSP through the Freedom of Information Act (FIOA) on how they are using the data extraction devices, one known to be manufactured by CelleBrite, that can quickly copy and download data from a driver’s cellphone to include contacts, call history, photographs, videos, and text messages without the driver being aware. But Michigan State Police are sending a bill to the ACLU for $544,680 to release the records in response to the request for actual use reports and logs.
We should not have to go on expensive fishing expeditions in order to discover whether police are violating the rights of residents they have resolved to protect and serve. Transparency and government accountability are the bedrocks of our democracy.
- Mark P. Fancher
ALCU of Michigan Racial Justice Project staff attorney
Contact the Parrish Law Firm if you have been issued a traffic ticket for offenses such as speeding, reckless driving, DUI or DWI, or driving on a suspended license. Please download for FREE our DUI/DWI Special Report.
Related Articles:
- ACLU Seeks Records about State Police Searches of Cellphones
- CNET – Michigan police refute claims of data-collection wrongdoing
- MSNBC – Michigan police and ACLU in flap over cell phone downloads
- ABC News – Michigan Police Use Device to Download Cellphone Data; ACLU Objects
Related posts:
- Avoid a Ticket this Memorial Day Weekend | Prince William Traffic Attorney
- Pulled Over? You Probably Shouldn’t Punch the Cop. | Prince William Traffic Attorney
- Arrested for Being a Designated Driver? | Prince William DUI Attorney
- Get Real-Time Reports of Speed Traps? | Prince William Reckless Driving Attorney
- Helpful Tips to Avoid Being Stopped by the Police
Tags: aclu, cellebrite, cellphones, data collection, data extraction, freedom of information act, michigan state police
