If you are facing a criminal investigation, it is important to remember that not all of the potential evidence against you is in your control. With the rise of the internet and smartphones, tech companies actually have a lot of control over certain information that could become part of your case.
For example, perhaps you use third-party apps, like Facebook, to send direct messages. You think of these messages as private conversations between you and other users. And it is true that the police typically would need a warrant to search your phone and read those messages.
However, there have already been cases where Facebook has been subpoenaed for information, and the company has turned over message logs to the authorities. Once you voluntarily share the information with the tech company, it may control what happens to it, even if the police do not get a warrant to search your devices.
Tracking Google searches
One area that has been a focus of controversy lately is that Google has been asked to turn over search records for certain users. This has been done to investigate criminal activity, to see if users were researching how to carry out those actions in advance.
In some cases, Google has provided the information that the authorities requested. There are privacy concerns, and advocacy groups have spoken up about how problematic this process could be. But technically, Google does keep a record of your searches, and that information could become part of a criminal investigation.
If you are facing serious charges and you are worried about the impact of digital evidence, be sure you understand all of your defense options. It can help to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney.