U.S. v. Warshak

U.S. v. Warshak: Court protects email privacy under the 4th Amendment

By Thomas Yohannan

 

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals handed down an important decision that affords emails protection under the Fourth Amendment.  The amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures.  In U.S. v Warshak, the court ruled that although an internet service provider (ISP) has access to private emails, the government must obtain a search warrant before it may seize and search such emails.