No. 25-7500October Term 2025Petition Pending
James Patrick Burns, Petitioner v. United States
James Patrick Burns asks the Supreme Court to review a Ninth Circuit decision concerning whether the government may obtain IP addresses and basic subscriber information tied to online accounts without violating the Fourth Amendment.
Case status
- Current stage
- Petition Pending
- Latest event
- Petition pending
- Decision timing
- No decision timeline until the Court agrees to hear the case.
- What it's about
James Patrick Burns asks the Supreme Court to review a Ninth Circuit decision concerning whether the government may obtain IP addresses and basic subscriber information tied to online accounts without violating the Fourth Amendment. He also asks the Court to consider sending the case back for reconsideration after Chatrie v. United States, a pending case that may address privacy expectations in electronic data.
Question presented
1. Whether individuals retain a reasonable expectation of privacy in IP addresses and basic subscriber information associated with their online accounts? 2. Whether this Court should grant the petition, vacate the decision below, and remand after its decision in Chatrie v. United States, No. 25-112, which will likely provide greater guidance on a reasonable expectation of privacy in electronic data?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit / Petition pending
- Area
Petition for review pending
Briefing
What it's about
James Patrick Burns asks the Supreme Court to review whether the government can obtain IP addresses and basic online-account subscriber information without violating the Fourth Amendment. He also asks the Court to send the case back after Chatrie v. United States, which may address privacy in electronic data.
Argument
The petition has been filed, and oral argument has not yet been scheduled.
Impact
The case could affect internet users whose account details are sought by law enforcement. For example, it could shape whether officials need stronger legal justification before obtaining information linking an account to an IP address.
What is at stake in Burns v. United States?
The case asks whether IP addresses and basic online-account subscriber information carry a reasonable expectation of privacy under the Fourth Amendment.
Who could be affected by the Burns case?
Internet users and law-enforcement investigators could be affected. The case concerns when officials may obtain information tied to online accounts.
What happens next in Burns v. United States?
The Court may schedule further action on the petition, including possible oral argument. No timetable for a decision has been set.
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary materials plus reporting.
- Note
- Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Sep 3, 2026
- Method
- Methodology