Free Speech issue image

ACLU v. Department of Justice

Last Update: February 19, 2014

What's at Stake

The American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) filed a lawsuit in July 2008 urging a federal court to order the Department of Justice (DOJ) to turn over records related to the government’s use of people’s cell phones as tracking devices.

The ACLU filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for the records in November 2007 following revelations that federal officials are using Americans’ cell phones to pinpoint their locations, sometimes without a warrant or any court oversight.

DOCUMENTS RELEASED BY THE GOVERNMENT

Northern District of California
> October 15, 2008
> December 31, 2008

Central District of California
> September 11, 2008
> September 16, 2008
> October 9, 2008
> October 15, 2008
> December 31, 2008
> October 22, 2009

District for the District of Columbia
> November 6, 2008
> December 31, 2008

Southern District of Florida
> May 28, 2008
> December 31, 2008

Northern District of Indiana
> December 31, 2008

Eastern District of Louisiana
> June 19, 2008
> November 25, 2008
> January 7, 2009

Middle District of Louisiana
> September 16, 2008 (pt 2) –>
> August 12, 2008
> September 4, 2008
> September 16, 2008
> December 31, 2008
> May 14, 2009 (set 1.pdf)
> May 14, 2009 (set 2.pdf)

District of Nevada
> December 31, 2008
> September 24, 2009

District of New Jersey
> July 19, 2008
> October 15, 2008
> December 31, 2008

Criminal Division
> August 22, 2008
> May 15, 2009
> June 1, 2009

Miscellaneous
> Vaughn Index and All Partially Released Documents
> Government recommendation for GPS tracking April 23, 2009

BLOG ENTRIES
> Big Brother In Your Pocket
> Everywhere You Want To Be And Everywhere You Once Were
> With Technology Like This Who Needs The Law

NEWS
> ACLU And EFF Sue Justice Department To Uncover Records Of Cell Phone Tracking (7/1/2008)
> ACLU Seeks Government Records on Use of Cell Phones as Tracking Devices (11/29/2007)

LEGAL DOCUMENTS
> Plaintiffs’ Reply In Support Of Their Cross-Motion For Summary Judgment
> Opposition to DOJs Motion for Summary Judgment – 07.24.2009
> ACLU v. DOJ – Pls Motion for Summary Judgment – 07.24.2009
> Amended Complaint (Doc. No. 15)
> ACLU v. Department of Justice – Complaint (7/1/2008)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
> Freedom of Information Act Request to the Drug Enforcement Agency (11/29/2007)
> Freedom of Information Act Request to the Executive Office for United States Attorneys (11/29/2007)

Support our on-going litigation and work in the courts Donate now

Learn More About the Issues in This Case