Latta co-sponsor of Email Privacy Act

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) has signed on as a co-sponsor to House Resolution 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,” Latta said. “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“This bill updates outdated laws by establishing a well-defined legal standard for the release of email and other electronic communications,” Latta added. “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 H.R. 1852 removes the outdated 180-day rule and requires a search warrant based on probable cause.