---
title: "To Do: Require Probable Cause to Access Communications Stored in the Cloud"
summary: |-
  Congress should require that law enforcement obtain a probable-cause warrant to access communications cloud service providers store.
date: "2020-06-08"
issues: ["Privacy", "Internet"]
content_type: "Knowledge Base Articles"
canonical_url: "https://itif.org/publications/2020/06/08/to-do-require-probable-cause-to-access-communications-stored-in-the-cloud/"
---

# To Do: Require Probable Cause to Access Communications Stored in the Cloud

# Recommendation

Congress should require that law enforcement obtain a probable-cause warrant to access communications cloud service providers store.

# Details

Lawmakers have taken several positive steps in recent years to balance the benefits of data collection with the need to protect privacy and civil liberties. Nonetheless, the U.S. government has also increased its monitoring of social media and data collection from technology firms. As such, lawmakers should continue to put in place protections that strike the proper balance between protecting society and not infringing on individuals’ rights. These protections should include requiring law enforcement to obtain probable-cause warrants to access communications cloud service providers store.

**Keep reading:**

- Michael McLaughlin, “How to Balance Internet Freedom and Security in the United States” (ITIF, June 2020), [https://itif.org/publications/2020/06/08/how-balance-internet-freedom-and-security-united-states](https://itif.org/publications/2020/06/08/how-balance-internet-freedom-and-security-united-states).

---
*Source: Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF)*
*URL: https://itif.org/publications/2020/06/08/to-do-require-probable-cause-to-access-communications-stored-in-the-cloud/*