Can Your Search History Be Used Against You?

You may have heard that the cops read you your rights during an arrest. And one of the most common things they say is, ‘whatever you say or do can be held against you in court,’ right?

However, what about the searches that you make on Google or social media? Can the cops use those against you, too? In this blog, we will be taking a look at this matter and learning in detail how the cops get hold of your search details, and how they use them against you. We’ll also explore how a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer can help you in such cases.

Social Media- the Hub for Evidence

Reports published in Statista have revealed that there are 320.6 million active social media users in the U.S. This makes it the third-largest social media user, after India and China!

And to be honest, a lot of us post pictures and videos of our personal lives across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X. And that is exactly what the cops take advantage of nowadays! Even if the accused refuses to answer any questions during the arrest, they can still gather enough evidence from their social media searches or Google searches and present it in court.

But how are they doing it?

Well, Internet Search Providers (ISPs) monitor your online moves closely. So, if you thought that deleting your browser history or your searches makes you safe, you are wrong! Doing so erases these elements from your view, but they still get stored. And if you have the right access, every single piece of information can be found.

While the police are liable to seek warrants before conducting any kind of searches, those initial warrantless searches are very common nowadays. However, it is also true that what the police submit as evidence to the court must be obtained legally. If the cops use illegal methods, the evidence cannot be considered valid for conviction. That’s exactly why hiring a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer is necessary. They know the intricacies of such cases and can create a strong defense to protect your rights.

How Social Media Helped Philly Cops Gather Evidence?

Since 2008, the Philadelphia law enforcement department has been using social media as a tool to solve cases. And as the crime rates in the city have increased, their efforts to use social media as a tool have also increased.

For instance, in March 2021, the Police Commissioner Daniel Outlaw said that social media had a major role in their investigation into gun violence in Philadelphia. How so?

Well, some of the accused posted photos on their social media accounts, which helped cops identify them and helped them get valid search warrants.

That being said, the usage of social media by cops for criminal investigation is still evolving in the legal landscape. The Constitution might have guaranteed us the right to privacy, but the nature of the internet is slowly blurring the lines between public and private life.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

One of the best ways to keep yourself protected is not to post anything on social media platforms. Along with that, you must also not conduct any online searches or post your photographs!

But, in this day and age, this might seem like an impossible task! So, the best way to protect your searches is to use a VPN. It helps encrypt your online searches and hides your online identity quite effectively, which makes it way more challenging for third parties to track your online activities.

That being said, our Pittsburgh criminal lawyers at the Logue Law Group can challenge any illegal methods of obtaining evidence. So, if you, or someone you know, is being held by the cops on the basis of your social media posts, don’t hesitate to call us at 412-387-6901 and schedule a free consultation.