Wiretap/ECPA
The Electronic Communications Privacy Act defines standards for government searches of voice communications, email and the Internet. Written in 1986, the law has not kept pace with changes in technology; it provides inadequate protection to much personal information, lacks the clarity that law enforcement needs, and needlessly affords different levels of protection to the same data depending on whether it is stored “in the cloud” or on a person’s computer. CDT is working with technology and communications companies, privacy advocates, and academics to update ECPA to preserve traditional privacy protections in the digital age.
Follow the latest CDT news with Press Releases, Events, and where we've been featured around the Internet.
| Name | Issues | Date |
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CDT Lays Out Rule of Law Agenda for Next President and Congress Statement: In testimony submitted to the Senate Constitution Subcommittee today, CDT called for the next... |
10/1/2008 | |
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Court: Constitution Protects Stored Cell Phone Location Information Statement: A federal court ruled September 10th that stored cell phone location information is protected by... |
9/11/2008 | |
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Constitution Protects Location Information, CDT Argues Statement: In a July 31 amicus brief filed in a federal court in Pennsylvania, the Electronic Frontier... |
8/7/2008 | |
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Legal Implications of Online Behavioral Advertising Practices: Collection of Internet Content from ISPs May Violate Federal and State Wiretap Laws Press Release: Contact: Brock N Meeks, CDT (202) 637-9800 ex. 114 (703) 989-3547 (CELL) WASHINGTON-The... |
7/8/2008 | |
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CDT Analysis: Constitutional Protection for Email Statement: A recent federal court decision affirming that e-mail exchanges are protected under the Fourth... |
7/26/2007 |
Policy Posts deliver in-depth analysis of current issues affecting the Internet. These documents are a leading resource for policy makers, the press, industry representatives, students, and others interested in legal and policy issues affecting the Internet.
| Name | Issues | Date | |
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| Online Behavioral Advertising: Discussing the ISP-Ad Network Model | The practice of "behavioral advertising" involves the compilation of detailed information... | 9/18/2008 | |
| Federal Appeals Court Holds Email Content Is Constitutionally Protected | In the past month, two federal appeals courts have grappled with the Constitutional status of... | 7/25/2007 | |
| Digital Technology Makes Surveillance Easier, Requiring Stronger Privacy Laws | Against the backdrop of debate over warrantless wiretaps and Administration calls to amend the... | 2/22/2006 | |
| Federal Appeals Court Reaffirms E-Mail Privacy Protections | Last week, on August 11, a federal appeals court reaffirmed the privacy protections accorded email... | 8/17/2005 | |
| No Design Mandates for Internet, CDT Tells FCC | On April 27, 2004, a diverse group of companies, trade associations and public interest groups from... | 4/28/2004 |
Find all our latest testimony, papers, and other reports here.
| Name | Author | Issues | Date |
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Testimony of James Dempsey Testimony: Testimony of James Dempsey before the Senate Judiciary Committee on "Carnivore." |
9/6/2000 | ||
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Testimony of Alan Davidson Testimony: CARNIVORE'S CHALLENGE TO PRIVACY AND SECURITY ONLINE TESTIMONY OF ALAN B. DAVIDSON ASSOCIATE... |
7/24/2000 |