Electronic Communications Privacy Act
Federal Legislation Addressing New Technology and Privacy Issues
An expectation of personal privacy seemingly has long prevailed in American culture and society. The Bill of Rights gave constitutional recognition to privacy expectations in the First Amendment, including the right not to have to speak, privacy of opinion, freedom of association, and the right of anonymous or pseudonymous expression; the Third Amendment, prohibiting the quartering of troops in private homes during peacetime without the owner’s consent; the Fourth Amendment, guaranteeing personal security against unwarranted searches and seizures; and the Fifth Amendment, specifying the privilege against self-incrimination.Although there may be some ambiguity about all of the facets of personal privacy,…
