LocateCell was one of several data brokers under investigation by the FCC for using pretextual tactics to swindle personal cell phone information out of telecom companies. LocateCell, like other similar vendors, would then resell these phone records to private investigators and even police departments or government agencies. Not illegal per say. But shady.

Apparently LocateCell failed to fully respond to a recent FCC subpoena. This did not exactly go over well and the FCC has proposed a nearly $100,000 fine.

And here's a little background on the case, which has been brewing since the first of the year.

-- MDT