Senate Committee Takes Positive Action on ECPA

The i2Coalition applauds the Senate Judiciary Committee for recommending amendments to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) that would require law enforcement to obtain warrants prior to searching email and other electronic communications. One of our board members, Richard Feller of Hedgehog Hosting, attended the markup on behalf of the i2Coalition and has a good writeup here.

Enacted in 1986, ECPA specified standards for law enforcement agency access to electronic communications and associated data, affording important privacy protections to subscribers of emerging wireless and Internet technologies. Technology has advanced dramatically since 1986, and the statute is in need of significant revision.

The i2Coalition believes ECPA reform must meet several specific tests:

• Establish consistent privacy protections
• Ensure that tradition constitutional guarantees of due process are upheld
• Maintain the United States’ competitive economic advantage around the globe

It is the hope of the i2Coalition and its members that the Senate will adopt the Judiciary Committee recommendations.