[JenyWach]

Hi, if I send an anonymous email (fake gmail account) from my IPhone while in airplane mode (phone line off) using a local coffee shop wi-fi, could that email be traced back to my ATT account? Again, this is not using 3G, but the wi-fi of the coffee shop and their ip address. If it can be traced, under what circumstances would ATT release the account holder information?

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The theoritical scenario that you posit, is beyond my (and likely anyone's) ability to "know for certain" as there is quite a bit in play.

Be mindful, if we're talking illegal activities, then yes, quite a bit can be be cobbled together. In my day job, when the severity of the situation calls for it, much is able to be pieced together.

Your final question would have to be addressed by your attorney.

[Biscuithd]

The theoritical scenario that you posit, is beyond my (and likely anyone's) ability to "know for certain" as there is quite a bit in play.

Be mindful, if we're talking illegal activities, then yes, quite a bit can be be cobbled together. In my day job, when the severity of the situation calls for it, much is able to be pieced together.

Your final question would have to be addressed by your attorney.

[JenyWach]

This is not for illegal activity purposes. Rather reporting someone to its employer for something highly discriminatory posted on his facebook without giving a chance for retaliation. What would that employer be able to trace when they receive the email assuming again there is nothing illegal in the content of the email? Would that employer be liable to provide my name assuming they can trace it back to me?

Edited by JenyWach, 11 March 2013 - 02:55 PM.

[Biscuithd]

As much as I'd like to give you a sraight "yes" or "no" answer, one is just not available. In all honesty, I'm not even certain that I completely understand the scenario you've listed. And, let me quickly add, it's not important that I do reach understanding as I'm not an attorney.

I know you're looking for some comfort, so lets talk a little about the possibilities. If person "A" accesses their frequently used Gmail account, via a public WIFI and composes and sends an email, what trail is left behind. Since you likely use the Gmail account a lot, regardless of whether you've attached a name to the account, you've left an access trail with various access points every time you used the account. And, all that information could be found. If you only set up the account for that one use, then only that information "could" be found. All that said, you have to ask yourself, would anyone go through the effort to find you?

If the situation is as you describe, there are laws protecting "Whistle Blowers". Which is what I think you're describing. There are also organization to help you,report illegal activities and then protect you, and defend you through the process. There is also the credibility of the information. i.e. anyone can compose an email saying X,Y & Z. It means more if a process was followed and difference evidence was offered.

That's about all I've got for you.

[JenyWach]

I appreciate your kind reply. Just to be clear, if the email account created for the purpose was gmail, Google would have to authorize a search on all ip addresses regularly logging in, correct? In other words, the third party receiving the email would only have direct access to the ip address it came from, not all the ip addresses that at some point have logged into that account? Thanks again.

[Biscuithd]

I appreciate your kind reply.

Glad to try and help.

Just to be clear,

So that I may be just as clear, I'm trying (in the nicest way I can find) to NOT answer your specific question, because I can't be certain of a correct answer and because your question has implications that are waaay beyond what we do here.

if the email account created for the purpose was gmail, Google would have to authorize a search on all ip addresses regularly logging in, correct? In other words, the third party receiving the email would only have direct access to the ip address it came from, not all the ip addresses that at some point have logged into that account?

Perhaps this link CLICK HERE will be helpful to you.

Thanks again.

You're welcome

[iKissedAGeek]

Those are a lot of factors being put into play. Even with all the precautions you put like using airline mode and a local wi-fi network, there might be ways to trace them. Such technology to trace may already be in the hands of some authorities.

Why not borrow somebody else's phone instead? Won't be traced to you that easily right?

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Hello,
Your email has been traced and in that coffee wi-fi will be caught and it's IP is also will be captured but not phone...