transcript of text messages?

[carmcoop]

Is it possible to get a transcript of all text messages sent and received?  Thanks in advance for the help. 

[Vampredator]

Only if you're a government law enforcement official.  (They're the only ones who can subpoena the records from the carriers databases). Other than that, once deleted, they're gone.

[ummto2]

Just in case ATT is reading this I just want to say that this would be a great feature and one that I'd be willing to pay for! If it actually shows you the message that was sent/received on the detailed info page instead of just the number it was sent to or came from.

I don't understand why a court order would be needed to release transcripts of text messages that I have paid to send/receive. I could understand if it wasn't my account and I was trying to get that info but it should be available to the account holder.

[Zandora ACE - Guru]

---

ummto2 wrote:

Just in case ATT is reading this I just want to say that this would be a great feature and one that I'd be willing to pay for! If it actually shows you the message that was sent/received on the detailed info page instead of just the number it was sent to or came from.

I don't understand why a court order would be needed to release transcripts of text messages that I have paid to send/receive. I could understand if it wasn't my account and I was trying to get that info but it should be available to the account holder.

---

You paid for the service to be able to send/receive text messages.

Unfortunately, the service does NOT include "storing" the messages for later retrieval.

AT&T would lose their shirts if they have to not only add servers to store the text messages, but then also to implement the software so that folks can retrieve their messages online. That's a lot of bandwidth. AT&T can't even keep up with 3G rollout. They will never put "online storing and retrieving" at the top of their list...Add to that privacy lawsuits that would abound.

Not all family plans consist of related family members.

That being said, if you're interested in your significant other's or your child's texting, you can try to put spyware on their phone. But that would be up to you to do...And if you feel odd about doing that, you can imagine AT&T's position on that matter times X million !

Message Edited by Zandora on 12-28-2008 06:38:22 PM

[ummto2]

---

Zandora wrote:

---

ummto2 wrote:

Just in case ATT is reading this I just want to say that this would be a great feature and one that I'd be willing to pay for! If it actually shows you the message that was sent/received on the detailed info page instead of just the number it was sent to or came from.

I don't understand why a court order would be needed to release transcripts of text messages that I have paid to send/receive. I could understand if it wasn't my account and I was trying to get that info but it should be available to the account holder.

---

You paid for the service to be able to send/receive text messages.

Unfortunately, the service does NOT include "storing" the messages for later retrieval.

AT&T would lose their shirts if they have to not only add servers to store the text messages, but then also to implement the software so that folks can retrieve their messages online. That's a lot of bandwidth. AT&T can't even keep up with 3G rollout. They will never put "online storing and retrieving" at the top of their list...Add to that privacy lawsuits that would abound.

Not all family plans consist of related family members.

That being said, if you're interested in your significant other's or your child's texting, you can try to put spyware on their phone. But that would be up to you to do...And if you feel odd about doing that, you can imagine AT&T's position on that matter times X million !

Message Edited by Zandora on 12-28-2008 06:38:22 PM

---

Yeah, I meant about the privacy thing.... meaning I don't understand what the big deal is with needing a court order to get a copy of those text messages.

They're obviously already paying the money to store them if you can get a copy with a court order. Also, I stated I'd be willing to pay for the extra feature of having them accessable online if that feature were available.

[paskeleah]

I 2 would love to have this option. Why can't it just come printed on my bill?

Guess there's a possibility that someones bill could be sent to the wrong address and personal info could be leaked.

But I'd pay to have it!

[Zandora ACE - Guru]

---

ummto2 wrote:

Yeah, I meant about the privacy thing.... meaning I don't understand what the big deal is with needing a court order to get a copy of those text messages.

They're obviously already paying the money to store them if you can get a copy with a court order. Also, I stated I'd be willing to pay for the extra feature of having them accessable online if that feature were available.

---

Allegedly, AT&T only keeps msgs on their servers for 72 hours. Then they're deleted...So a court order doesn't do much good unless it's served before the messages are even sent. Which probably could happen in stalker cases or cases where wiretaps have been ordered on a line.

In this litigious society, you can bet that the first time printed messages were sent to the wrong address there would be a multimillion dollar lawsuit that would wipe out any profits AT&T had on this kind of service. But IMO, this service would NEVER be profitable...And AT&T being in the business of making profits, would not do it simply because it would be unprofitable.

You have 3rd party options to do this. But AT&T is smart not to become a party to invasion of privacy without court order. They need to CTA.

Would I LOVE to know what my bf texts? Sure would. If I need to know that bad, I'd break up with him. Why have a relationship if you don't have trust.

I don't have children, but if I did, I wouldn't hesitate using something like RADAR on their phones. If they gripe about it or manage to remove it, oh well, then no phone.

I think RADAR is what you want for your kids. Obviously, not for spying on the significant other as they would know about it. For that, if the other has a Windows Mobile phone, you can add MobileSpy.