The Electronic Communications Privacy Act, or ECPA, is one of the Internet’s most outdated laws. It says hundreds of federal entities, including the IRS and FBI, as well as state and local agencies can access your data stored in the cloud without a warrant. This means police and other government agents can access your email inbox much more easily than your physical mailbox – a dangerous reality in today’s digital world.
To fix this, TechFreedom has joined with nearly three dozen organizations and companies in launching VanishingRights.com, which empowers citizens to call their representatives in support of the Email Privacy Act, a bill introduced by Representatives Yoder (R-KS), Graves (R-GA), and Polis (D-CO). The bipartisan bill would prohibit government access of Internet communications without a warrant.
Each week, the public is shocked by new revelations of government surveillance. When it comes to Internet surveillance, ECPA reform is a part of the solution – and one that is not receiving the attention it deserves.
As more of our private information goes online, the need for ECPA reform becomes more urgent. Tell Congress we value our privacy. Tell Congress to update ECPA so it ensures our email and online documents are protected from warrantless searches.