Email Privacy Act

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Dec 21, 2022

Email Privacy Act

This bill modifies provisions restricting an electronic communication service (ECS) or remote communication service (RCS) provider from disclosing the contents of a wire or electronic communication that is in electronic storage with or otherwise stored, held, or maintained by that service.

Additionally, it revises the standards for the government to compel an ECS or RCS provider to disclose the contents of a wire or electronic communication or records, or inform of the recipient of the existence of a warrant, court order, subpoena, or request, unless the government obtains an order for delayed notification (i.e., an order directing a service provider to delay notifying anyone of the existence of a warrant, order, subpoena, or request for a specified period of time).

The bill revises the process for obtaining a delayed notification order and lengthens the maximum duration of such an order.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1] · D–WA

Committees

Judiciary Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Dec 21, 2022
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Dec 21, 2022
Introduced in House
Dec 21, 2022
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Dec 21, 2022 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jan 3, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.9656 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.9656, 117th Congress: Email Privacy Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/9656

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2022-12-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr9656/BILLS-117hr9656ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T08:07:22Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.9656 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.9656 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.9656, 117th Congress: Email Privacy Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/9656

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2022-12-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr9656/BILLS-117hr9656ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T08:07:22Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.9656 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.9656 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.9656, 117th Congress: Email Privacy Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/9656

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2022-12-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr9656/BILLS-117hr9656ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T08:07:22Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.9656 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.9656 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.9656, 117th Congress: Email Privacy Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/9656

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2022-12-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr9656/BILLS-117hr9656ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T08:07:22Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.9656 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.