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Latta Backs Legislation to Update Email Privacy Laws

Washington, DC, June 24, 2013 | Laura Strange (202-225-6405)

Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) has signed on as a cosponsor to H.R. 1852, the Email Privacy Act, a bill to update current privacy laws and improve protections for electronic communications information stored or maintained by third-party service providers.

“Digital communication privacy laws have not been updated since 1986, and yet technology has changed dramatically and is consistently evolving. We must ensure that privacy laws keep up with technology and provide the courts with clarity in an ever-changing field. This bill updates outdated laws by establishing a well-defined legal standard for the release of email and other electronic communications. Government can and must play a role in upholding the Fourth Amendment and guarding against government intrusion in our personal lives.”

Under current law, electronic communications stored or maintained by a third-party provider can be obtained by a government entity if that digital communication is older than 180 days. H.R. 1852 removes the outdated 180-day rule and requires a search warrant based on probable cause.

 

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