From Ars Technica:
Feds: We’re pulling data from 100 phones seized during Trump inauguration
In new filings, prosecutors told a court in Washington, DC that within the coming weeks, they expect to extract all data from the seized cellphones of more than 100 allegedly violent protesters arrested during the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Prosecutors also said that this search is validated by recently issued warrants.
The court filing, which was first reported Wednesday by BuzzFeed News, states that approximately half of the protesters prosecuted with rioting or inciting a riot had their phones taken by authorities. Prosecutors hope to uncover any evidence relevant to the case. Under normal judicial procedures, the feds have vowed to share such data with defense attorneys and to delete all irrelevant data.
"All of the Rioter Cell Phones were locked, which requires more time-sensitive efforts to try to obtain the data," Jennifer Kerkhoff, an assistant United States attorney, wrote.
Such phone extraction is common by law enforcement nationwide using hardware and software created by Cellebrite and other similar firms. Pulling data off phones is likely more difficult under fully updated iPhones and Android devices. John Adams, a former security official at Twitter, told Ars that older devices are likely more susceptible.
Good news - I hope they gather names and contact information and proceed to roll up this organization. This was not a peaceful protest, this was organised violence by people who were hired for the job. The rioters are criminals and need to be prosecuted.
Leave a comment