Altschuler is concerned, though, that the excessive use of so much data, whether from social media or other electronic sources, may lead to overuse.

Altschuler cited recent reports from cellphone carriers indicating they responded to for subscriber information last year from law enforcement agencies. The , prepared for Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), indicated that police and other agencies were looking for text messages, caller locations, and other information for investigations.

"On a wholesale basis, no one quarrels with the idea that criminals need to be prosecuted," Altschuler said. "On a retail basis, however, we have to question the success rates" from gathering so much information. Altschuler rhetorically doubted 1.3 million search requests really generated an equivalent number of arrests or convictions.

The defense attorney is concerned about overuse for two big reasons.

First, too much dependency will be placed on social media information gathering. "It's a huge waste of time when law enforcement runs down dead ends," Altschuler said.