What is the law enforcement relations for Tmobile purpose is it only for tapping phones or other reasons as well?

Answer 1

Virtually every communications enterprise like T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint and even social networks like Facebook and MySpace, have a law enforcement relations office. This is the point of contact when law enforcement needs to get access to information such as calling records (calls dialed and received), cell tower logs (what cell phones connected with which towers, and when), billing addresses, and so on. For social networking sites and ISPs, the relevant information might be a subscriber's true e-mail address or billing address. The law enforcement relations office can lay hands on this information and provide it when appropriate.

Sometimes the release of this information requires a court order, search warrant or subpoena, and sometimes it can be released on request. Which situation applies depends on the jurisdiction, the nature of the information requested, and the type of incident prompting the request.

When information is perishable, law enforcement can make a "preservation request." Most of these companies don't preserve log information indefinitely. For instance, your ISP may keep logs of your logins and message traffic for 30 days, then delete it. A preservation request puts the company on notice that the law enforcement agency is in the process of obtaining the necessary court order. If the company allows the information to be deleted in the interim, they can be held liable for destroying evidence.

Phone taps are also handled through these offices, but phone taps are fairly rare. They are manpower-intensive, as an officer has to be monitoring the line(s) around the clock. Courts are reluctant to approve long-term phone taps unless the target is a major criminal enterprise.