According to the US Supreme Court ruling in Riley v. California, what is required to search a cell phone?

In the case of Riley v. California, the US Supreme Court ruled that the search of a cell phone, as part of an arrest, requires a search warrant. This landmark decision recognized the significant privacy interests associated with the extensive amount of personal data stored on modern smartphones. The Court distinguished cell phones from other physical items that might be searched without a warrant following an arrest, noting that the digital information contained within a cell phone is far more comprehensive and sensitive.

The ruling emphasized that, even if law enforcement has the legal authority to arrest a person, the expectation of privacy in the information stored on their cell phone is so strong that a warrant is necessary to search it. This decision reflects a broader understanding of personal privacy in the digital age, ensuring that law enforcement practices align with constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.