Washington (June 25, 2014) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, released the following statement after the Supreme Court released its unanimous ruling that law enforcement must get a warrant before searching the mobile phone or other personal electronic device of an arrested individual. In 2012, then-Rep. Markey released a discussion draft of legislation to ensure American’s sensitive mobile phone information is protected and there is transparency and accountability for law enforcement. One provision of the draft legislation would require location tracking authorization only with a warrant, except in emergencies, when there is probable cause to believe it will uncover evidence of a crime as this is the traditional standard for police to search individual homes.

 

“The Supreme Court today rightly ruled that the 4th Amendment protections on lawful searches apply to the mobile phones that are ubiquitous in the 21st century. Cell phones today contain vast amounts of sensitive information about our personal lives, and as a result, law enforcement should need to obtain a warrant before they can access it.”