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Telephone Call Privacy Act of 1999

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Nov 3, 1999

Telephone Call Privacy Act of 1999 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to allow a telecommunications carrier to use, disclose, or permit access to customer proprietary (identifying) telephone network information for the provision, by the carrier or another party, of its product or services only if the carrier: (1) provides the customer a notice of the information being disclosed and the specific product or service for which the information is being disclosed; (2) permits the customer to review and correct such proprietary information; and (3) does not receive from such customer within 15 days after notification a notice disapproving the use of such information for such purposes. Allows a customer to provide written disapproval of such use notwithstanding a previous approval.Outlines provisions authorizing a person that receives or obtains customer proprietary information to disclose such information to criminal law enforcement and judicial personnel for criminal law enforcement and related judicial proceedings. Provides requirements for court orders for investigative or law enforcement officers to obtain such information, including that: (1) the information sought is relevant and material to an ongoing criminal investigation; and (2) the law enforcement need for such information outweighs the privacy interest of the individual involved.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Sen. Edwards, John [D-NC] · D–NC

Committees

  • Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

  2. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13801-13802)

  3. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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

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: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze S.1850 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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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.1850 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.

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