Bill banning warrantless cellphone tracking clears California Senate

California is one step closer to banning law enforcement from tapping the data from the tracking device in your palm, pocket or purse without a warrant.

The state Senate passed a bill that requires a warrant to seek access from wireless carriers to the near-constant data stream coming from our cellphones. Existing law addresses only the search of places and seizure of property identified in a warrant. There's also a warrant procedure for acquiring stored communications. The bill, SB 1434, amends the state Penal Code to address location data collected by our ubiquitous electronic devices, including our mobile phones.