ECPA Reform Takes a Leap Forward, Email Privacy Act to Receive a Vote

Today, the House Judiciary Committee unanimously advanced a version of the Email Privacy Act (H.R. 699) through Committee, giving the full House of Representatives the opportunity to vote on the important legislation. The bill would reform the 1986 Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA). The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) has been at the forefront of the effort to reform ECPA for years and has led a diverse coalition of advocacy groups and companies in support of reform. CDT supports the advancement of the bill as amended by the Manager’s Substitute.

“Every single American will enjoy greater privacy protection in their personal communications with the passage of the Email Privacy Act. It’s a huge step forward to bring the same protections we enjoy in our homes to our digital lives,” said CDT VP of Policy Chris Calabrese. “With such overwhelming support, the House should move quickly to vote for and pass this essential bill.”

The bill, which has bipartisan support from 314 co-sponsors, would require a warrant to obtain the content of emails, online documents, and other private electronic communications. The Manager’s Substitute Amendment creates no special carve-outs for federal civil agencies.

If the Email Privacy Act passes the House it would be sent over to the Senate for consideration. Similar measures have passed the Senate Judiciary Committee in previous sessions of Congress. For more information about ECPA reform efforts, visit CDT’s website and the website of the Digital 4^th Coalition.