Cellphones give people around the world the chance to chat without worrying about others hearing what they are saying. Teenage boys can ring to ask a girl out without having to bypass her parents on a landline.
Wannabe entrepreneurs can take a few minutes from their day jobs to further their plans without their current bosses overhearing. Yet, cellphones are not as private as people think.
Cellphone privacy concerns are real
In 2013, Edward Snowden leaked to the world that the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) was spying on U.S. citizens. He exposed that they were keeping details of people’s phone calls as well as emails and more supposedly private information.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) often access information people think is private. In the old days, you would have called it tapping the phone line. These days it is more complex. It can involve accessing emails, internet histories and bank accounts. They can listen in to your cellphone conversations or hack your phone to check with whom you have been conversing.
The FBI can ask a judge for a warrant if they suspect you of certain crimes. Yet, there is widespread suspicion that they often gather information without a warrant. One way is the so-called Stingray device that acts like a cellphone tower to collect data from cellphones in that area.
If you suspect you are under investigation for an alleged federal crime, you need to watch what you say and whom you talk to. The one person you should speak with is a criminal defense attorney. They can help you understand more about your situation.