Google Geofence Warrants Are Dead—Supreme Court Heard Last One Monday
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Chatrie v. United States, a case concerning the constitutionality of geofence warrants that compel Google to identify devices in a specific area and time. Although the Court's decision is pending, Google has already ended its ability to comply with such warrants by moving location data to users' devices in late 2024. The ruling will clarify whether past geofence warrants violated the Fourth Amendment but will not revive the practice. The case is the last of its kind to reach the Supreme Court from the era when Google retained centralized location data.
- ▪The Supreme Court heard Chatrie v. United States, its first case on geofence warrants, which allow law enforcement to identify devices in a geographic area without naming a suspect.
- ▪Google stopped responding to geofence warrants after December 2024 by storing Location History data locally on devices instead of in user accounts.
- ▪Between 2018 and 2020, Google received over 20,000 geofence warrants, with usage peaking during investigations like the January 6 Capitol riot.
- ▪The Fourth and Fifth Circuits have split on whether geofence warrants violate the Fourth Amendment, prompting the Supreme Court's review.
- ▪The Court's decision will determine the legality of past geofence warrants but will not restore the ability to issue new ones under Google's current data policy.
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InnovationScienceGoogle Geofence Warrants Are Dead—Supreme Court Heard Last One MondayByLars Daniel,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Lars Daniel covers digital evidence and forensics in life and law.Follow AuthorApr 28, 2026, 09:18pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Google Maps SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesThe Supreme Court heard oral arguments Monday in Chatrie v. United States, the first time the justices have taken a geofence warrant case directly.
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