E

very law enforcement official in the US can read any message sent via email or social networking website that is six months old, or more. This is possible due to a provision in a three-decade-old law that grants officials access just with a subpoena (no permission from judge required).

Anything government wants to read, that is under the six-month stipulation, still needs a warrant.

The government had a chance to edit this “180-day rule” in March 2011 during an edit. But, it remained unchanged. Eff writes that after Snowden revelations, lawmakers are demanding for a change in the law. A warrantless email search reform bill was introduced in 2013, but it didn’t pass due to certain ‘constraints.’

Officials defend the law with absurd statements: “The Fourth Amendment doesn’t protect the communications held in electronic storage as the internet don’t have a “reasonable” expectation of privacy.” Well, if you need a password to access your email or social networking account, you DO have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

This law is outdated in terms of the continuously changing digital age. Various privacy groups and companies are rooting for this change as government agencies are continuously being accused of keeping an eye on common people.

Government has been repeatedly making excuses when it comes to updating EPCA. Express your views in comments if you find this law offensive.

Must Read: NSA’s Search Engine to Hack Into Your Lives is as Simple as Google

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