SEC, FTC Push To Keep Warrant-Free Email Access

As Congress begins preparations to update the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the FTC and SEC, among other government agencies, are pushing for an exception to allow them warrantless access to emails during investigations. An updated law would hinder agents investigating fraud or insider trading, according to testimony before the House Judiciary Committee. The agencies want to retain their right to ask companies like Google, whose servers store targets’ data, into turning over the information without tipping off the target by getting a subpoena. Some states have taken the issue into their own hands: In October, California put in place warrant standards more stringent than federal law, and Texas, Utah, and Virginia already have data-privacy laws in place.