Cell Phone Location Tracking State Laws – Can You Legally Track A Cell Phone in Your State?

Tracking someone’s cell phone location can be considered as an invasion of privacy, as location records can unveil a lot of things about the target individual. If you track someone’ location, make sure you are following it legally.

In America, location tracking should be abiding by state laws. Cell phone location tracking state laws are legitimate rules defining whether it is permissible to track GPS location of phone in a particular state or not.

Cell phones and other smart devices are vital for communication nowadays. People carry smartphones everywhere they go, and they are probably logged in to their social accounts all the time. With the proliferation of smartphones and other mobile devices, tracking the whereabouts of someone is like a piece of cake – PS, if you use the right best mobile tracker.

Cell phones can be the primary source of getting tracked or infringe someone’s privacy.

In this article, we are going to mention some state laws to highlight which state of America allows mobile tracking activities and which prohibit the use of cell phone trackers.

So, let’s begin!

Cell Phone Location Tracking State Laws

Comprehensively, law enforcement agencies can track mobile devices with legitimate purposes. With a proper judicial warrant, cops and forensics experts can access the real-time location of a suspected person. Moreover, the Federal Government authorities are also entitled to fetch details of any person.

For commoners like us, there are some rules and regulations regarding mobile tracking activities. However, parents can track the whereabouts of their kids to ensure their physical security.

In the US, the courts and legislatures are imposing state laws to protect unlawful cell phone location tracking and secure the users’ privacy.

Here, we are mentioning the cell phone location tracking laws of each state of America.

Below are Seven different law orders implied in 50 states of America.

• Warrant required.
• No warrant required.
• Conflicting authorities.
• Some precautions.
• Warrant needed for HCSL information.
• No binding authorities.
• Warrant required for all location-tracking information.
• Warrant needed for real-time location-tracking information.

How to Legally Track A Cell Phone Location in Your State?

You can scroll down and check if your state laws allow you to legally track cell phones location.

• Alabama

No warrant required.

• Alaska

There is no binding authority for mobile tracking. Location information is unprotected.

• Arizona

There is no binding authority for mobile tracking. Location information is unprotected.

• Arkansas

There is no binding authority for mobile tracking. Location information is unprotected.

• California

To track cell phones, you will require a warrant. Without legal permission, you can not track mobile phone location.

• Colorado

Only some protections or legal rules imply on location tracking.

• Connecticut

Only some protections or legal rules imply on location tracking.

• Delaware

Only some protections or legal rules imply on location tracking.

• Florida

There are conflicting authorities regarding cell phone location tracking.

• Georgia

No warrant required.

• Hawaii

There is no binding authority for mobile tracking. Location information is unprotected.

• Idaho

There is no binding authority for mobile tracking. Location information is unprotected.

• Illinois

To track cell phones in real-time, you will require a warrant. Without legal permission, you can not track mobile phone location.

• Indiana

To track cell phones in real-time, you will require a warrant. Without legal permission, you can not track mobile phone location.

• Iowa

There is no binding authority for mobile tracking. Location information is unprotected.

• Kansas

There is no binding authority for mobile tracking. Location information is unprotected.

• Kentucky

No warrant required.

• Louisiana

No warrant required.

• Maine

Warrant required. To track all mobile phone location information, you need to get legal permission from law enforcement agencies.

• Maryland

There are conflicting authorities regarding cell phone location tracking.

• Massachusetts

Warrant required. For HCSL (historical cell site location) information, you need a legitimate contract.

• Michigan

No warrant required.

• Minnesota

Warrant required. To track all mobile phone location information, you need to get a judicial contract.

• Mississippi

No warrant required.

• Missouri

There is no binding authority for mobile tracking. Location information is unprotected.

• Montana

Warrant required. To track all mobile phone location information, you need to get a judicial contract.

• Nebraska

There is no binding authority for mobile tracking. Location information is unprotected.

• Nevada

No warrant required.

• New Hampshire

Warrant required. To track mobile phone location information, you need to get a judicial contract.

• New Jersey

Warrant required. To track real-time mobile phone location information, you need to get a judicial permission contract.

• New Mexico

There is no binding authority for mobile tracking. Location information is unprotected.

• New York

There is no binding authority for mobile tracking. Location information is unprotected.

• New Carolina

No warrant required.

• North Dakota

There is no binding authority for mobile tracking. Location information is unprotected.

• Ohio

No warrant required.

• Oklahoma

There is no binding authority for mobile tracking. Location information is unprotected.

• Oregon

There is no binding authority for mobile tracking. Location information is unprotected.

• Pennsylvania

Only some protections or legal rules imply on location tracking.

• Rhode Island

Warrant required. To track all mobile phone location information, you need to get legitimate permission.

• South Carolina

No warrant required.

• South Dakota

There is no binding authority for mobile tracking. Location information is unprotected.

• Tennessee

No warrant required.

• Texas

No warrant required.

• Utah

Warrant required. To track all mobile phone location information, you need to get legitimate permission.

• Vermont

Warrant required. To track all mobile phone location information, you need to get a judicial permission contract.

• Virginia

There are conflicting authorities regarding cell phone location tracking.

• Washington

There is no binding authority for mobile tracking. Location information is unprotected.

• West Virginia

No warrant required.

• Wisconsin

There is no binding authority for mobile tracking. Location information is unprotected.

• Wyoming

There is no binding authority for mobile tracking. Location information is unprotected.

Cell Phone Location Privacy – Track Mobile Devices Legitimately:

Now, that you are aware of the cell phone location tracking state laws, make sure you track mobile phones legitimately. Mobile phone tracking can reveal almost everything about the target person, including; current whereabouts and location history of weeks and months.

As privacy matters, American states are persistently developing laws to secure the phone location and other data against unlawful disclosure.

An American Union, ACLU address the location security of mobile users. According to ACLU, the status of one’s privacy security depends on the whereabouts. Your real-time location can invite dangers, including; physical assault, robbery, abduction, and more.

That is why it is vital to protect the mobile devices of your loved ones, especially kids.

The Final Thoughts:

With the increasing rate of phone-related dangers, American states are implying strict laws to forbid unlawful location tracking among individuals. Although some states have relaxation in their rules, the others strictly allow location information tracking with a jurisdictional warrant. Make sure of your state laws before you start tracking the mobile phone location of your family or peers.