Are there records kept of text messaging?

Mghtz · 01-21-2007, 09:16 PM

Like if for some kinda police investigation.........can sprint be contacted and get a copy of the text messages sent and recieved? Even though they've deleted from your phone cuz they're over a month old or something.....are they somehow stored in Sprints system? maybe they got some databank specifially for that. Just wondering

***ZiggyZ*** · 01-21-2007, 09:22 PM

The answer to your question is YES. Absolutely. a few months back they enabled an online feature for customers to log into their account and view sms messages sent and received on a per phone basis. However, they did away with it. Now customers can't access that info. I think this was done due to privacy concerns amoungst users. Particularly users on multi line accounts. To give you an example of privacy concerns. Take the scenerio that a nosy insecure boyfriend who has his girlfriend on his plan. He suspects she's cheating or something. He could just login to his account and look at her text messages sent and received.

YPG · 01-21-2007, 09:31 PM

Yeah that feature was removed but the OP is asking if Sprint still keeps the records and can they be accessed by an outside agency such as the police. That's why I speak in code. Or ghetto as Josh prefers to call it lol.

***ZiggyZ*** · 01-21-2007, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SempreGatto

Yeah that feature was removed but the OP is asking if Sprint still keeps the records and can they be accessed by an outside agency such as the police. That's why I speak in code. Or ghetto as Josh prefers to call it lol.

Still the answer is yes. They are required to retain these records for legal purposes. But sprint won't give this info up without a warrent.

**Dan** · 01-21-2007, 09:37 PM

Just like email, text messages can likely be recovered by law enforcement if it is necessary to the investigation.

Obviously the cost of recovering them for a simple harassment investigation would be not worth the resources while the value of recovering them for drug dealing or murder for hire would be more in the public intrest.

Data may be "deleted" but can still likely be recovered if enough time and money is spent!

***ZiggyZ*** · 01-21-2007, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

Just like email, text messages can likely be recovered by law enforcement if it is necessary to the investigation.

Obviously the cost of recovering them for a simple harassment investigation would be not worth the resources while the value of recovering them for drug dealing or murder for hire would be more in the public intrest.

Data may be "deleted" but can still likely be recovered if enough time and money is spent!

I would agree with this for the most part, except it taking a lot of resources. IMO if it was as easy for a customer to view the messages then I would assume that it would be just as easy and painless on the company operations end. Well if you really think about it.

**Dzalumni** · 01-21-2007, 10:36 PM

Sprint used to let you see all of your text messages under the Manage>SMS side.
They removed this feature about 5 months ago. It was a great feature and many of us on this site miss it.

YPG · 01-21-2007, 11:14 PM

So any idea of how long they keep these records for?

**Dan** · 01-22-2007, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by channel125

I would agree with this for the most part, except it taking a lot of resources. IMO if it was as easy for a customer to view the messages then I would assume that it would be just as easy and painless on the company operations end. Well if you really think about it.

My point was more along the idea that even if the server only holds the message logs for say 2 months its possible to recover deleted data. You see how many emails the FBI is able to recover from ISP files even though they were long ago "deleted."

Sting23ray · 01-22-2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Text Message Records are kept for 15 days. It costs $150 to get the 7-15 days of text records that are available.

So even law enforcement agencies cant get their hands on them after 15 days?

***ZiggyZ*** · 01-22-2007, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sting23ray

So even law enforcement agencies cant get their hands on them after 15 days?

I would say that they can. I don't see why not. Maybe they are archived after 15 days or something.

KJ78 · 01-22-2007, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by channel125

The answer to your question is YES. Absolutely. a few months back they enabled an online feature for customers to log into their account and view sms messages sent and received on a per phone basis. However, they did away with it. Now customers can't access that info. I think this was done due to privacy concerns amoungst users. Particularly users on multi line accounts. To give you an example of privacy concerns. Take the scenerio that a nosy insecure boyfriend who has his girlfriend on his plan. He suspects she's cheating or something. He could just login to his account and look at her text messages sent and received.

i would think they would keep at least the record of date/time/sent to/received from for awhile, if for no other reason that billing. the law is going to want them to keep records for at least a few months if not a few years.

tmobile keeps a list of calls sent/received and txt msgs sent/received for an account updated about 2 hours after the fact in their billing section online. all you need is a login/pwd to access the account. they publish the voice calls made/received list in your bill and keep 3 months of bills online. the text msg info is not kept on bills. just a little handy info in case your sig other is on tmobile and you happen to accidentally watch them type in their password

***PrincessPixie*** · 01-22-2007, 02:01 PM

Geez, I remember when Text Messges were available on the website. I'm both sad and glad they aren't anymore. I lost some very scentimental records, however, I lost some very incrimating ones as well!

echelon4 · 01-22-2007, 02:19 PM

I have been wondering this for quite a while and guess just never asked. I am glad to get it cleared up. If I have a customer ask about this where would I direct them? Just customer service and fax CS a warrent or how would I go about this.

gregmech26 · 12-29-2009, 10:31 PM

I was just informed that my "phone records" are being subpoened by the police. (I'm involved in a criminal case where im the plaintiff pressing charges.)

What exactly are "phone records" ?

How far back do "phone records" go?

Do "phone records" include detailed text messages from several months ago?

I found this number online: Subpoena Compliance Group, (800) 877-7330‏

01-21-2007, 09:16 PM	#1
Mghtz Telephone User Join Date: Feb 20, '06 Location: Bklyn, NYC Posts: 150 Phone: HTC Evo Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post SU$: 822	Are there records kept of text messaging? Like if for some kinda police investigation.........can sprint be contacted and get a copy of the text messages sent and recieved? Even though they've deleted from your phone cuz they're over a month old or something.....are they somehow stored in Sprints system? maybe they got some databank specifially for that. Just wondering

01-21-2007, 09:22 PM	#2
*ZiggyZ* I'm Kind Of A BIG Deal... Mood: Join Date: Jul 19, '05 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 3,096 Phone: Galaxy S4 Thanks: 37 Thanked 38 Times in 35 Posts SU$: 11,198	The answer to your question is YES. Absolutely. a few months back they enabled an online feature for customers to log into their account and view sms messages sent and received on a per phone basis. However, they did away with it. Now customers can't access that info. I think this was done due to privacy concerns amoungst users. Particularly users on multi line accounts. To give you an example of privacy concerns. Take the scenerio that a nosy insecure boyfriend who has his girlfriend on his plan. He suspects she's cheating or something. He could just login to his account and look at her text messages sent and received. __________________ S\|P Sprint "GOLD" Premier - Sprint Customer Since 3/24/1999. 14 YEARS!!

01-21-2007, 09:31 PM	#3
YPG You down with YPG? Mood: Join Date: Aug 26, '05 Location: Outer Space Posts: 30,566 Phone: M1 for life! Trades: 13 Thanks: 1,121 Thanked 201 Times in 176 Posts SU$: 40,646	Yeah that feature was removed but the OP is asking if Sprint still keeps the records and can they be accessed by an outside agency such as the police. That's why I speak in code. Or ghetto as Josh prefers to call it lol. __________________ Yo! Peep Game! You gotta play em to the left. Whoever's ride or die is the last one left!

01-21-2007, 09:37 PM	#5
Dan Forever my Angel Mood: Join Date: Feb 6, '05 Location: western NY Posts: 23,764 Phone: HTC ONE Trades: 1 Thanks: 40 Thanked 732 Times in 598 Posts SU$: 126,485	Just like email, text messages can likely be recovered by law enforcement if it is necessary to the investigation. Obviously the cost of recovering them for a simple harassment investigation would be not worth the resources while the value of recovering them for drug dealing or murder for hire would be more in the public intrest. Data may be "deleted" but can still likely be recovered if enough time and money is spent! __________________ My angel is now an angel in heaven. 5/25/2000 - 12/5/2010. Rest in peace Alaina.

01-21-2007, 10:36 PM	#7
Dzalumni And the home of the SIOUX! Join Date: Jun 11, '06 Location: Travel the US! Posts: 3,472 Phone: Treo Pro Trades: 1 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post SU$: 11,936	Sprint used to let you see all of your text messages under the Manage>SMS side. They removed this feature about 5 months ago. It was a great feature and many of us on this site miss it. __________________ Buddy, who knew what your life was like, before you joined our family.You brought, laughter, sunshine and smiles to our family. You are missed. R.I.P my sweet one.

01-21-2007, 11:14 PM	#8
YPG You down with YPG? Mood: Join Date: Aug 26, '05 Location: Outer Space Posts: 30,566 Phone: M1 for life! Trades: 13 Thanks: 1,121 Thanked 201 Times in 176 Posts SU$: 40,646	So any idea of how long they keep these records for? __________________ Yo! Peep Game! You gotta play em to the left. Whoever's ride or die is the last one left!

01-22-2007, 02:01 PM	#13
*PrincessPixie* It's still PixieDrea. I'm still a dork. Join Date: Jun 19, '06 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 2,984 Phone: Palm Pre Trades: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts SU$: 8,038	Geez, I remember when Text Messges were available on the website. I'm both sad and glad they aren't anymore. I lost some very scentimental records, however, I lost some very incrimating ones as well! __________________ Mmm, Palm Pre is tasty.

01-22-2007, 02:19 PM	#14
echelon4 Cordless Phone User Join Date: Feb 27, '06 Location: Kansas Posts: 760 Phone: LG Musiq Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts SU$: 1,499	I have been wondering this for quite a while and guess just never asked. I am glad to get it cleared up. If I have a customer ask about this where would I direct them? Just customer service and fax CS a warrent or how would I go about this. __________________ Avatar by ccalvin. <--- I need a new one, I haven't used my Q in a year because it was terrible.

12-29-2009, 10:31 PM	#15
gregmech26 Telegraph User Join Date: Dec 5, '06 Location: Farmington, MI Posts: 91 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts SU$: 584	I was just informed that my "phone records" are being subpoened by the police. (I'm involved in a criminal case where im the plaintiff pressing charges.) What exactly are "phone records" ? How far back do "phone records" go? Do "phone records" include detailed text messages from several months ago? I found this number online: Subpoena Compliance Group, (800) 877-7330‏

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