Texas on Verge of Enacting Strongest E-Mail Privacy Protections in Country

Don't mess with Texas e-mails

Reason 24/7

Don't mess with Texas e-mails.

From Ars Technica:

Assuming that Texas Governor Rick Perry does not veto it, the Lone Star State appears set to enact the nation's strongest e-mail privacy bill. The proposed legislation requiresFin state law enforcement agencies to get a warrant for all e-mails regardless of the age of the e-mail.

On Tuesday, the Texas bill (HB 2268) was sent to Gov. Perry's desk, and he has until June 16, 2013 to sign it or veto it. If he does neither, it will pass automatically and take effect on September 1, 2013. The bill would give Texans more privacy over their inbox to shield against state-level snooping, but the bill would not protect against federal investigations. The bill passed both houses of the state legislature earlier this year without a single "nay" vote.

What state might be next? And will statists elsewhere push legislation making it easier to snoop on e-mails?

Find out by following these stories and more at Reason 24/7 and don't forget you can e-mail stories to us at [e-mail] and tweet us at @reason247.

Comments

[Fist of Etiquette]

...but the bill would not protect against federal investigations.

I suppose this will lead to a spate of investigations being kicked up to the federal level. Still, don't hack Texas.

[UnCivilServant]

"What state might be next?"

Well not New York, don't dare suggest that King Cuomo isn't omnipotent, or you'll have a visit from his praetorian guard and "procedures will be followed".

[Agammamon]

"And will statists elsewhere push legislation making it easier to snoop on e-mails?"

Nah, the feds aren't bound by state laws - local cops will just go to their local Drug Task Force Liaison and get the DEA or DHS to pull the info they want.