Washington – Legislation that would prevent the government from searching peoples’ emails without a warrant is a step closer to the finish line. The House bill known as the Email Privacy Act now has 218 bipartisan co-sponsors as of last night. That’s the number needed to pass if the House brings it up for a vote.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association has been an advocate for updated privacy rules. The following can be attributed to CCIA President Ed Black:
“This bill would finally offer email, social messaging and other cloud-stored data the same protection as files stored inside someone’s home. If the government agency wants to obtain cloud-stored data, it would need to go before a judge and get a warrant for that search.
“Those who care about the Constitution and checks and balances are no doubt pleased to see Congress working together to make sure the law is finally keeping up with technology. The last Electronic Communications Privacy Act is now almost 30 years-old so this update is long overdue. We applaud this milestone in the House, and ask Congress to bring this to a vote this year.”