KEEP IT CLEAN

Proposed Bill Allows Feds to Read Email

Could allow “warrantless” searches.

In the words of Antoine Dodson: hide your emails, hide your Google Docs, hide your Facebook. A proposed law—originally intended to increase Americans’ email security—now plans to increase government access to email and other digital files. Scheduled for a vote next week, the Senate proposal allows 22 agencies (among them the Securities and Exchange Commission) “warrantless access” to Americans' email, Google Docs files, Facebook wall posts, and Twitter direct messages. According to CNET, the legislation was changed by Patrick Leahy, the influential Democratic chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, after law enforcement expressed their dissatisfaction and asked him to “reconsider acting” on it. It's a scary time to be an incriminating email.