Ottawa Police Say That Find My iPhone & Other Tracking Apps Aren’t Enough For A Search Warrant

Find My iPhone is an Apple developed app that enables users to track their iOS device via GPS. In addition, with the launch of Mac OS X 10.7, users can now also track their Mac.

Well according to Ottawa police, a mobile tracking app like that of Find My iPhone is not enough to knock on a thief’s door.

Ottawa resident Jennifer Buston recently used the app to track her stolen MacBook Air after a break-in this week. However Sgt. James McGarry of the Ottawa police said the app was not enough for a search warrant.

“Just because an app says that this is the location of where a laptop is or where a device is, it doesn’t provide us with the full picture,” said McGarry.

While the app’s search results can be used as evidence, Police still have to conduct their own investigation and examine the crime for additional evidence before being able to issue a search warrant.

I’d say this is an eye-opening explanation from the Ottawa police, as I’m sure many of us (me included) figured we could use Find My iPhone to track down our devices and then immediately inform the police for a quick resolution. I guess not.

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[via Metro News]

*Thanks for the tip Tak!

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