eNewsletters

Dear Friend,

I am pleased to have taken significant steps throughout the past few weeks to help address the privacy concerns of businesses and consumers. As a member of the Judiciary Committee, ensuring our nation’s laws keep pace with innovation is a task that I take very seriously and view as crucial to protecting individual privacy as technology becomes an ever-increasing part of our daily lives.  That is why I recently launched the bipartisan Congressional Internet of Things (IoT) Caucus to explore and educate lawmakers on Internet enabled devices and systems, from fitness bands to crockpots and cars. I have also helped introduce several bills that will update our laws to protect citizens in the digital age.

Congress has a responsibility to craft legislation that will protect Americans’ personal information. I helped reintroduce the Online Communications and Geolocation Protection Act to make sure laws are updated so communications in an email inbox are protected just like a piece of paper in a filing cabinet The bill would update the 1986 Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) by applying Fourth Amendment protections to online communication and geolocation data, requiring law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant in order to access such information.

I cosponsored the Email Privacy Act, which outlines similar measures to protect electronic communications. This act would prevent the government from accessing emails older than 180 days and stored in third-party locations without a warrant. I also helped introduce the Law Enforcement Access to Data Stored (LEADS) Abroad Act, which would give U.S. companies clear guidelines on when they have to turn over electronic communications to law enforcement if that information is stored abroad.

Other bills I have cosponsored include the Surveillance Order Reporting Act and the Secure Data Act. These two bills will help businesses better safeguard their customers’ data. The Surveillance Order Reporting Act encourages businesses to disclose government requests for information and the Secure Data Act prohibits the government from requiring electronic device makers to build “back doors” to access users’ data.

These are critical updates necessary for laws to keep pace with rapid changes in technology. I will continue to support efforts that ensure privacy protections, encourage consumer confidence, and foster technological innovation.

As always, my office is here to serve you. If you have questions or comments about the topics that matter most to you, I encourage you to contact me through my website. You may also keep up-to-date on what I’m doing by following me on Twitter or liking my Facebook page. If you need assistance dealing with a federal agency, such as the IRS or the VA, or if you are having problems with your Social Security or Medicare, please do not hesitate to contact my Bothell office at (425) 485-0085.

Regards,

Suzan