Iowa Law on Cell Phone Records

Iowa and the federal government regulate the use of cell phone records by governmental agencies. Although privacy laws protect cell phone records from disclosure, records may be subject to disclosure in certain circumstances, such as in a criminal or civil investigation.

Warrant

The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects people from unlawful searches and seizures. Cell phone records are private and an Iowa law enforcement officer must have a search warrant before searching a phone or obtaining records from the phone company. However, the reasonable expectation of privacy does not exist in certain situations, such as a search incident pertaining to an arrest or other exigent circumstances.

Support

Iowa allows the Department of Human Services to search cell phone records for the contact information for parents delinquent on child support payments. To obtain the information, the Iowa agency can subpoena (require the production of evidence) cell phone providers for records.

Taxes

The Iowa Department of Revenue can subpoena cell phone records for the contact information of people who owe the state back taxes. The state can obtain the person's address and the name of their employer.

References

• Lawyers.com: Cell Phone Privacy
• DesMoinesRegister.com: Owe Iowa Taxes and Have a Cell Phone?
• DesMoinesRegister.com: Who Were the Winners and Losers of the 2010 Iowa Legislature?