For crime investigations, the preservation of data is important. Nowadays, law enforcement agencies utilize modern tools, such as
Google location data for investigations by using Google Maps, which preserves the data for a significant period. However, there is confusion about how much time Google retains this information.
Google is a potent search engine that offers a
multitude of products and services, including Gmail and Google Maps. When an individual logs in to their account, the search engine records their footprints in its archives. The law enforcement department uses this information to conduct investigations and find clues to catch the criminal.
Google stores the location history in the Google Account. However, the retention period depends on the settings and manual actions. Google retains location data until the user either manually deletes it or configures it to be automatically deleted. By default, the location history feature is off, and you must opt in to enable it. Once one can activate the feature, one's location data begins to accumulate.
To give users more control, Google introduced an “
Auto-Delete” feature. With this feature, anyone can set their Google Account to delete location data after a specific period automatically. Options for automatic deletion include 3, 18, or 36 months. This means that after the chosen time frame, the location data will be deleted without any further action required on the user’s part.
If Google is served with a valid legal warrant or subpoena. In that case, they may be compelled to
provide location data, including potentially deleted data, depending on the specific terms of the warrant and the data retention policies at the time the data was collected.
To retrieve location data from Google for law enforcement purposes, a structured legal process must be followed. This process typically involves obtaining a legal order, such as a subpoena, search warrant, or court order, depending on the jurisdiction and the specifics of the case.
Here’s an overview of the general process.
Law enforcement must first submit a formal request to Google for access to a person's location data. The type of request depends on the nature of the investigation and the jurisdiction, which could include:
- Subpoena: Often used to request basic account information, including some location data that doesn't require a higher level of legal authorization.
- Search Warrant: This is required for more sensitive data, such as the detailed location history of an individual. It must be based on probable cause that the data is relevant to a criminal investigation.
- Court Order: In some cases, a judge may issue an order compelling Google to provide location data. This may be used when the data is considered relevant to an ongoing investigation.
In cases where law enforcement needs location data within a specific geographic area, a geofence warrant may be used. The “
geofence warrants” instructed Google to search detailed location information logged by hundreds of millions of devices and to return lists of users found to be within a particular area during a specified time. Geofence warrants have been used to identify the perpetrators of serious crimes.
For example, if a crime were committed at a particular location, law enforcement could use a geofence warrant to request data for all devices that were in the vicinity during the incident.
Once the warrant or legal request is obtained, law enforcement submits it to Google, outlining the specific data they seek. This may include location data for specific devices, including information about when and where a device was during the given period.
Google has established procedures for handling these requests, which include reviewing the validity of the legal documents and ensuring that the data requested complies with privacy protections.
Google retains location data for users who have enabled location services, but the data may only be available for a limited time, depending on the user’s settings (auto-deletion, manual deletion, etc.).
Google’s data retention policies are key in determining whether the requested data is available. If the data has been deleted or is no longer within the retention period, Google may not be able to provide it.
Google reviews all law enforcement requests to ensure they comply with legal standards and privacy policies. The company may push back on requests that are overly broad, invasive, or that violate user privacy. If the request passes the review, Google may provide the location data.
If the request is deemed too broad or ambiguous, Google may ask for clarification or seek modifications to the request.
If the request is valid and the data is available, Google provides the location information to law enforcement. This can include data, including GPS coordinates, timestamps, and possibly even a device’s movements over a given period.
In the case of a geofence warrant, Google may provide location data for all devices within the specified geofence, narrowing it down based on the time frame requested. Law enforcement then uses this information to track down any leads and conduct investigations.
Law enforcement departments can solve a multitude of cases using Google location data for investigations. Google retains its location data up to 36 months, but with the court's order, it can help law enforcement provide a bit older location data. However, if the data is deleted from the archives, it can be challenging to recover it.
Geofence Warrants are the most significant tools that law enforcement uses for tracking location data within a specific area. However, Google has strict rules before allowing it. With BlueForce Learning, you can learn how to request geofence warrants without facing rejection. Our courses on geofence and MS Excel will help you gain the knowledge law enforcement requires.
Secure Your Spot in the Geofence Warrant Masterclass by
BlueForce Learning and Lead the Way in Law Enforcement!
Google keeps location history based on your settings. By default, it’s off, meaning no data is stored unless you opt in. If enabled, you can set automatic deletion after 3, 18, or 36 months. Without these settings, data is kept indefinitely until you delete it manually.
When you delete location history, it is generally removed from Google’s servers. However, Google may still keep some anonymized data for analytics. If you backed up your data before deletion, you may still be able to recover it.
You can access location history through Google Maps as long as the feature is enabled. If data was stored for 10 years, you may see it on your Timeline. However, if the data was deleted automatically or manually, it may not be available.
