California Senate OKs requiring warrants to search smartphones, tablets

[Newsjock]

Source: Los Angeles Times

The state Senate on Wednesday approved a bill that would require law enforcement in California to obtain a search warrant or wiretap order before searching a person’s smartphone, laptop or other electronic device or accessing information stored on remote servers.

The bill, by Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), also would protect locational information stored on smartphones and other devices unless police officers show probable cause to a judge.

... The measure is supported by tech companies including Apple, Facebook, Google and Twitter as a way to clarify what their obligation is regarding providing information to law enforcement.

The Senate voted unanimously to approve the bill, which was co-authored by Republican Sen. Joel Anderson of San Diego. "It's very important to protecting our liberties,” Anderson said.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/local/political/la-me-pc-senate-warrants-search-smartphones-20150603-story.html

[Dustlawyer]

1. Wacky California!

Sarcasm

[rpannier]

2. Have they not learned the lessons of 9/11?

ditto

[GGJohn]

3. Wow!!! Even CA repubs were on board with this.

This is a good law, cops have no business searching your private belongings without a warrant signed by a judge.