Email Privacy Act

This bill changes federal law on when phone, email, and online storage companies may share or must hand over customers' stored messages. It would require government agencies to get a court-issued warrant to obtain the contents of stored electronic communications, removing the current rule that treats messages stored more than 180 days differently. A warrant could set a deadline for the company to respond; if it does not, the company must respond promptly. Companies would be allowed to tell customers when they receive a warrant, order, or subpoena, except where a court delays notice. The bill keeps existing government access to company employees' work communications and public advertisements, and does not limit Congress's power to investigate.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Suzan K. DelBene Democrat sponsor
• 8 cosponsors