Press Releases

Congressman Tom Marino (R-PA) and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA) introduced the LEADS Act today. The LEADS Act is a simple solution to the all too common and complicated problem of international data storage and governmental access. The legislation balances the critical needs of law enforcement, such as the issuance of warrants and subpoenas, with the importance of respecting privacy and personal information.

This legislation also strengthens the framework of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty by resisting the trend of data localization and protection efforts in an era of cloud storage and computing where information exchanges increasingly ignore the confines of traditional international boundaries.

Congressman Marino, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform said the following:

“I am proud to join Congresswoman DelBene in this effort and have great confidence that with her help, our colleagues on both sides of the aisle can join in supporting the LEADS Act. It is an important piece of legislation which has significant and positive implications for law enforcement and private citizens. If we cannot accomplish the act of passing this reasonable legislation, the effects of its absence will be more arduous to reverse making even the most basic informational processes cumbersome and outdated.”

Congresswoman DelBene said the following:

“U.S. companies need clear guidelines on when they have to turn over electronic communications to law enforcement if that information is stored abroad. The current uncertainty harms U.S. businesses and their customers, and does not well-serve our foreign relationships,” DelBene said. “The LEADS Act is an important step in solving one of the most challenging issues in the electronic information age, and I look forward to working with stakeholders to pass productive legislation that will give U.S. companies a workable legal framework.”

The following organizations are supporters of the LEADS Act:

The App Association, Apple, Brittenford Systems, The Software Alliance, Carter-McGowan Services Alliance, CenterPoint Solutions, Cisco, Cogent Company, Conquest Technology Services Corps, Focal Technology, Gruene Technology Group, Hewlett-Packer Company, IBM, Interknowlogy, KDM Consulting, Kumo Technology, ManyWorlds, Inc., Microsoft, National Alliance for Jobs and Innovation, National Association of Manufacturers, Rackspace, Tech Cumulus, Telecommunications Industry Association and Verizon support the legislation.

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