Content. We are compelled to provide the contents of communications to law enforcement relatively infrequently. Under the law, law enforcement may seek communications or other content that a customer may store through our services, such as text messages or emails. Verizon only releases such stored content to law enforcement with a probable cause warrant. We do not produce stored content in response to a general order or subpoena. During the first half of 2021, we received 8,750 warrants for stored content.
Location information. During the first half of 2021, we received 13,914 warrants based on probable cause for location data. In addition, we received 1,465 warrants or court orders for “cell tower dumps” during the first half of 2021. In attempting to identify a suspect of a crime, the government may apply to a court for a warrant or order compelling us to provide a “dump” of the phone numbers of all devices that connected to a specific cell tower or site during a given period of time.