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Computer Law/Follow up to the 6/21/08 question

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Expert: - 7/7/2008


Question
Hi Chris,

I found the issues raised by the 6/21/08 question very interesting.  (In that case, an attorney had subpoenaed the IP addresses used to login to a Yahoo and Gmail account since 2006.  Google responded with only 30 days worth, and Yahoo responded with nothing).  It made me wonder:

Why would Yahoo respond with nothing if their policy is to keep login information for 30 days?

Would a search warrant by law enforcement to Google or Yahoo have uncovered any additional IP addresses/login information, or did that information simply cease to exist after the 30 days passed?

And finally, would law enforcement even investigate such a matter (unauthorized personal email access) for an individual if there was no dollar loss or other tangible loss?

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Kat,

In reference to your question about yahoo, they are required to respond to a subpoena, even if its to tell you they have nothing to give you. As for the information, when they "remove" the information, it no longer exist. It is deleted from their servers.

Law Enforcement is required by law to investigate any violation of law. We do not consider money loss as a factor, only to pick the level of crime. Sometimes if the money involved is large it raises the penalties for some crimes. We have to investigate any crime that is brought to our attention. That way ALL PEOPLE regardless of money are given the same protection under the law.

Hope this answers your questions. If you have any more feel free to ask.  

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Chris Wagoner

Expertise

I can answer questions concerning Computer Crime Investigations and Internet investigations including Computer Crime Laws both at the State level and Federal level. I can answer questions on almost any crime in which a computer is used. In addition I can answer questions concerning copywrite infringement (peer to peer, and copying). I served as a police Commander and conducted and still conduct Computer Crime Investigations at the Local, State and Federal level. I have investigated all most any kind of crime with which or which involved a computer and the internet, from murders, kidnappings, extortion, drug dealing and more. I can answer questions concerning Computer Forensics (the art of recovering information from a suspects computer), Computer Crime Investigations and Internet Investigations. I am a Federally Court Recognized Expert in Computer Crime and Computer Forensics. I have worked in both Facebook and MySPace, also in Peer to Peer investigations. In addition I can answer questions concerning child predators and how to make your children safer on-line. I teach Computer Forensics, Internet Investigations, Peer to Peer Investigations and other computer crime related subjects for several colleges and the Institute of Police Technology and Management. My hobby webpage - Military Videos - http://www.youtube.com/user/3rdID8487

Experience

I conduct computer crime investigations in conjunction with the F.B.I., Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Gainesville Police Department, and University of Florida Police Department, Levi County Sheriff’s Office, Starke Police Department and other agencies in the North Florida Court District. I provide the forensic data recovery services for those agencies as well as internet tracing and information gathering. I am a Federal Court Certified Expert in Computer Crime Investigations and Forensics. I teach Computer Forensics for the University of North Florida, Institute of Police Technology and Management. I also teach Computer Crime courses for Tallahassee Community College, Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Training Center. Associate Instructor; teach Computer Crime courses thorough out the world for IPTM. Presently Teach Cyber Crime Investigations, Computer Crime Investigations and Computer Forensic Data Recovery Course.

Education/Credentials
2 Degrees in Criminal Justice, now teach college level Data Forensics classes

Awards and Honors
Awarded the FBI Directors Award for assisting the FBI in a National Computer Crime Investigation. Awarded Dec 2002

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