Access to customer information from Internet infrastructure providers should follow due process of law.
In some instances, law enforcement agencies have a legitimate need to access personal online data, but government access to data must be preceded by due process procedures set out in the 4th Amendment in regards to search and seizure.
United States law is clear on the privacy of phone calls and other non-digital communications: government officials and agencies need a search warrant based on probable cause to gain access. But such protections don’t extend to email.
A warrant is needed for messages located on the computer of a sender or receiver but messages older than 180 days can be obtained from the servers of Internet infrastructure providers and other third parties with only a subpoena or court order. A court order can be based on a standard lower than probable cause, and many agencies can issue themselves a subpoena without an outside judge.
Want to work with us on Privacy issues? Join the i2Coalition and our Public Policy Working Group.
Recent Updates On Privacy
i2C March/April 2019 Legislative Update
We’re anticipating activity on privacy, intermediary liability, Facebook, and other topics impacting the online community in March and April.
Server Side: David Snead On i2Coalition/eco Transatlantic Dialogues Privacy Roundtables
i2Coalition co-founder and cPanel general counsel David Snead talks about the upcoming roundtables on privacy shield and transatlantic data flows, and other industry initiatives.
Transatlantic Dialogues Privacy Roundtable Reading List
Transatlantic Dialogues is an important three-part discussion series on the future of personal data protection on both sides of the […]
Server Side: Monica Sanders On i2Coalition 2019 Policy Initiatives
Monica Sanders, i2Coalition Policy Director and Christian Dawson review an eventful 2018 and look forward to 2019.
Server Side: Frank Stiff & Michele Neylon On 2018 And Looking Forward To 2019
“The president of France essentially said that self-regulation didn’t work and they would be imposing regulation to “fix the bad stuff on the Internet.” That kind of statement from a major power is deeply worrying.”
A Section 230 Rewrite, Midterm Results, and Human Rights Concerns: November-December 2018 Legislative Update
After midterms, Congress is headed into an abbreviated lame-duck session and a season of more potential reshuffling in the Executive Branch.
Privacy Blueprints, Social Media Responsibility, and NAFTA: September 2018 Legislative Update
With only 11 working days in September, the House will mostly be in and out of session working on a number of bills and issues such as privacy, social media platforms, and trade agreements.
Our Submitted Comments to FTC on Remedial Authority in Privacy and Data Security Matters
The i2Coalition has submitted comments to the FTC, on Docket ID: FTC-2018-0052 or “The Commission’s remedial authority to deter unfair and deceptive conduct in privacy and data security matters”.
Privacy Movements, Social Media Responsibility, And The New OSTP Director: August 2018 Legislative Update
New privacy legislation and cereal rules in development, tariffs, hearsing on social media responsibility, and more.
SXSW 2019 Panel Picker: Where Do Alexa, Siri, and Watson Brunch?
We’ll discuss the critical role data centers and cloud hosting plays in the future of the Internet. Vote on the SXSW Panel Picker to bring this discussion to SXSW 2019!
i2Coalition Supports Open Internet and Multistakeholder Model in Comments to NTIA
The i2Coalition responded to a request for comments on International Internet policy.
Hearings And Letters On Privacy, Pending Supreme Court Changes: July 2018 Legislative Update
House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee, as well as the House Judiciary Committee discuss data protection issues.