Lummis Supports, House Passes Email Privacy Protections

Statement

Today U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (WY-At large) voted with a sweeping bipartisan majority of her colleagues, with no one opposing, to pass H.R. 699: the Email Privacy Act. This legislation updates the 30 year old law on electronic communications by requiring warrants for law enforcement to obtain for the purpose of criminal investigation the content of electronic communications such as emails, texts, photos, videos, and documents stored online.

"Americans have the right to expect privacy in their online communications and that's what the legislation we passed today ensures," said Rep. Lummis, cosponsor of the bill. "We have constitutional limitations on law enforcement's search of our property and there must be limitations on such searches of virtual, online property as well. House passage of the Email Privacy Act will prohibit the government from requiring service providers to produce stored copies of electronic communication without a warrant, bringing email standards in line with those already established for wire-taps. Security and law enforcement are critical parts of our society, but we cannot afford to sacrifice our constitutional liberties without the due process of a warrant."

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