Update electronic privacy laws

San Jose Mercury News: In 1986, cell phones were an expensive novelty, GPS tracking was only a dream, texting had yet to be invented and only 30 million computers were in use in the United States.

That’s the year Congress passed the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, establishing the standards in effect to this day for government access to e-mail and other electronic communications in criminal investigations.

The law has been changed only slightly over those 24 years and desperately needs an overhaul. The only people defending the status quo are those still using their Apple Mac Plus, which also was introduced in 1986.

Broad coalition

Congress at long last is taking this on at the urging of a broad coalition of technology companies and advocacy groups. They can help lawmakers set a clear standard that balances the right to privacy with law enforcement’s need to protect the public.

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