content: But of course even the "threat to life" standard doesn't pass the Fourth Amendment test without probable cause and a warrant, and should result in charges being dismissed if they stem from the information gained.  The thing is... if a cell provider voluntarily gives your data over, there's no violation of the Fourth Amendment. And they are likely to do so since they don't really care about you... And also because apparently anything you share with another business isn't protected by the 4th amendment, and becomes grabbable by the state without a warrant, even if both parties want to keep it secret.  [T]he individual must occasionally transact business with other people. When he does so, he leaves behind, as evidence of his activity, the records and recollections of others. He cannot expect that these activities are his private affair.