DOJ to appeal court decision ruling broad cell phone tower searches are unconstitutional

The Department of Justice plans to appeal a February 21 ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Harris that deemed broad “tower dump” cell-site data warrants unconstitutional, holding they constitute a search requiring probable cause for each device; the decision could have nationwide impact as many agencies use this tactic, echoing concerns similar to recent rulings against geofence warrants, with an appeal deadline of March 21.