California assembly passes digital privacy bill


The California state assembly has passed a digital privacy bill that aims to prevent government access without warrant to private electronic communications. The bill would provide some exceptions for law enforcement in emergencies or for other public safety requirements.


The bill, which would require a judge’s approval for access to a person’s private information, including data from personal electronic devices, email, digital documents, text messages and location information, had been passed in June by the state senate and will now return there for concurrence before heading to Gov. Jerry Brown for approval.




The legislation “would prohibit a government entity from compelling the production of or access to electronic communication information or electronic device information, as defined, without a search warrant, wiretap order, order for electronic reader records, or subpoena issued pursuant under specified conditions, except for emergency situations, as defined,” according to the version of the bill considered by the assembly.

The bill provides for government entities to obtain information in an emergency “involving danger of death or serious physical injury to a person,” that requires access to the electronic information without delay.



Leno tweeted on Tuesday that the legislation “strikes just the right balance to protect digital privacy, spur innovation, and safeguard public safety.”


Source: California assembly passes digital privacy bill | Computerworld

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