Mobile carriers responded to a staggering 1.3 million law enforcement
requests last year for subscriber information, including text messages
and phone location data, according to data provided to Congress.
The revelation
marks the first time figures have been made available showing just how
pervasive mobile snooping by the government has become in the United
States.
The companies said they were working around the clock and charging
millions in fees to keep up with ever-growing demands. At least one of
the carriers urged Congress to clarify the law on when probable-cause
warrants were required to divulge customer data.
Nine mobile phone companies forwarded the data as part of a
Congressional privacy probe brought by Rep. Edward Markey,
(D-Massachusetts), who co-chairs the Congressional Bi-partisan Privacy
Caucus.
