[Infowarrior] - more on....DOJ Guide to How Much Data Phone Companies Keep

[Richard Forno]

(c/o AJR)

Begin forwarded message:

> Date: September 28, 2011 2:48:41 PM EDT
> Subject: Re: [Infowarrior] - DOJ Guide to How Much Data Phone Companies Keep
> 
> This is old, VZW may have changed their policy, but read the dates of texts in the Jackson case:
> 
> http://www.zdnet.com/news/police-blotter-verizon-forced-to-turn-over-text-messages/178942
> "The messages actually produced cover the following dates (all in 2007): June 6, June 12-14, June 17, June 19, July 3-4, and 
> October 23-31."
> 
> That's way more than the 'days' claimed for VZW here.
> 
> 
> From 2004 (linked above) :
> http://www.sptimes.com/2004/06/21/Technology/Think_before_you_text.shtml
> AT&T Wireless spokesman Mark Siegel said the company co-operates with law enforcement officials for investigations but 
> refused to discuss its policies on storing text messages.
> 
> The company's Web site said messages not immediately delivered are held for 72 hours for more delivery attempts, then 
> deleted. How messages in the Bryant case would be available four months later isn't known; most likely they were retrieved 
> from an archival storage system.
> 
> "It's just a common practice," said Kagan, the telecoms analyst. "I don't know an instance where they delete them."
> 
> Later, it reads:
> 
> Verizon Wireless spokeswoman Jenny Weaver and Sprint PCS spokesman Dave Mellin said text messages are not stored anywhere 
> after delivery.
> 
> 2004 VZW doesn't store any, in 2007 they go back many months at least, today it's a matter of mere days?  Not making a lot of 
> sense here.  And, again, the texts in the Bryant case were retrieved by ATT more than four months later.  Wha?!
> 
> 
> An interesting side-read from LEO perspective:
> http://cops2point0.com/2011/07/why-how-add-mapping-your-cell-phone-evidence/
> 
> That's July this year, the VZW value is still 'days' but a few higher.  Also includes that MetroPCS, a more regional carrier, 
> stores SMS for 60 days.  Worth noting.
> 
> 
> Also in digging around for the above (side data to what I was trying to locate but couldn't) I came across this :
> http://www.gomycell.com/
> 
> Requires installation for both parties; sends encrypted sms, allows for remote delete of data you've sent, etc.  Interesting 
> if it works.  I'd like to see an in-depth code review to ensure good keys are generated, no escrow, etc.
> 
>