Limiting Government Secrecy in Accessing Citizens' Electronic Data.
This law tightens the rules for Non-Disclosure Orders (NDOs) that prevent service providers from telling customers when the government demands their electronic data. The standard secrecy period for accessing your communications or files is limited to 90 days, after which the government must notify you and provide a copy of the information obtained. Exceptions allow up to one year of secrecy for investigations involving child sexual exploitation.
Key points
The government must notify you of secret access to your electronic data (e.g., emails) within 90 days of the order, unless the investigation involves child sexual offenses (up to one year).
After the secrecy period expires, you have the right to request a copy of the information the government obtained from your service provider, excluding illicit or child pornography materials.
Courts must now provide written justification for why data secrecy is necessary, ensuring the order is narrowly tailored and less restrictive alternatives were considered.
The Attorney General must submit an annual public report detailing the number of warrants issued and NDOs granted, increasing transparency regarding government surveillance practices.
Introduced
Citizen Poll