Too bad it doesn't apply to where the companies are located, too, not just the end-users.

Too bad it doesn't apply to where the companies are located, too, not just the end-users.

Originally shared by Daniel Suarez

Basic privacy protections finally reach the Internet...at least in California

The Electronic Communications Privacy Act was just signed into law here in California -- and with huge bipartisan support. This law will require state and local law enforcement to obtain a search warrant -- detailing what they're looking for -- to gain access to web mail, texts, geolocation history, and more for a California resident. I'm just surprised it took so long to consider the content we generate online and through mobile devices (though held by third parties) to be equivalent to our proverbial 'persons, houses, papers, and effects.'

Sure, the companies that hold our web mail and private chat sessions still have access to the data, but at least they can't be compelled to cough up information to the police on a whim -- there must now be a warrant...again, only for California residents. However, we all know where the most prominent tech companies are headquartered and hopefully this state law will have a salutary effect on legislation elsewhere. That's important because with our current drought everyone moving to California is not an option...

"State senators Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) wrote the legislation earlier this year to give digital data the same kinds of protection that non-digital communications have."
http://www.wired.com/2015/10/california-now-nations-best-digital-privacy-law/