How long phone companies keep records

If one wants to stay invisible, first rule is to not have a smartphone. Great reporting! This information is slightly different from what has been reported previously. For example TMobile cell tower information is now 23 months. It has been reported as 7 years before — back in It sounds like you confirmed this new information.

How confident are you in this new information? Dak- That is correct. None of them retain text message content, save Verizon wireless for the amount of time listed. Thanks for the feedback, though! Sometimes you speak to different people and get different answers. There are dozens of wireless phone companies in the United States who DO NOT lease their services from the 5 companies that you listed above.

In fact, almost all of the 5 companies that you listed actually lease services in certain areas of rural America from the smaller wireless providers because the large companies have not built their networks out yet. Any idea if these time periods relate to former subscriber records as well? In other words if a person switched carriers 4 years ago, do these stated time periods include these former customers? It depends on the provider. The provider compliance contact numbers are all available on search.

So if I wanted to retrieve text messages records from 10 years ago… would that be possible? You must be logged in to post a comment. Definitions Before we discuss the retention periods themselves, some explanation is required.

Some additional definitions for terms that will be used later are: SMS content: Text message detailed content. This includes standard text message only and is a different service from Apple proprietary iMessages and third-party text message apps. Cell Tower: The sole-source connection that a device makes on the given cellular network.

Get the first word on what the important tech news really means with the InfoWorld Tech Watch blog. For the latest business technology news, follow InfoWorld. Here are the latest Insider stories. More Insider Sign Out. Sign In Register. Sign Out Sign In Register. Latest Insider. Check out the latest Insider stories here. More from the IDG Network. ACLU wants details on mobile tracking by police.

But what I always told them is if somebody had some kind of process in which to predict the future , they wouldn't be selling it to law enforcement; They'd be selling it to Wall Street and they'd be selling it to Las Vegas. Peachy, so there's no telling how much other data, like the cell phone record data, is being retained about Americans but that we do not yet know exists. Darlene Storm not her real name is a freelance writer with a background in information technology and information security.

Here are the latest Insider stories. More Insider Sign Out. Sign In Register. Sign Out Sign In Register. Latest Insider. Check out the latest Insider stories here.