N.C. Lawmakers Approve Police Tracking of Cell Phone Data
Lawmakers unanimously approved legislation that will allow police to track any cellphone’s location in real time. Warrants are not needed if the officers believe there is risk of death or serious physical harm.
May 13, 2021 •
Civil-liberties advocates had previously raised concerns,
The News & Observer reported last month when the bill was debated in committee for the first time. Some, but not all, of those concerns were addressed with changes just prior to the vote on Tuesday.
The Fourth Amendment requires police to have a warrant, supported by probable cause, to search or seize people or their property. But this bill, if it becomes law, would let police get around that in situations in which officers believe they could stop someone from facing "a risk of death or serious physical harm."