Federal Court Undermines Email Privacy

A federal appeals court in Boston has ruled that the wiretap laws do not apply to real-time interception of email. The decision potentially creates a loophole for law enforcement access to email, and exposes the inadequacy of current law against ISPs' use of their customers' email for their own business purposes and without notice or consent. July 1, 2004

• United States v. Councilman [PDF], June 30, 2004
• More on wiretap laws

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