A common legal interpretation is that collecting call metadata (such as tolling data or call-detail records) does not constitute a wiretap because wiretapping involves intercepting the content of communications.
October 09, 2025
medium
legal_interpretation
Summarizes legal experts' view distinguishing metadata collection from wiretapping.
Telephone call-detail or billing records typically contain metadata such as the phone numbers involved, date and time of calls, and call duration, but do not contain the audio content of those communications.
October 07, 2025
high
technical
Describes the typical contents and limits of telephone call-detail/billing records used in investigations.