Bill · H.R. 2787· House(119-HR-2787)
Warrant for Metadata Act
- Introduced
- 4/9/2025
- Last activity
- 4/9/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Ted Lieu
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Warrant for Metadata Act," seeks to amend title 18 of the United States Code. It aims to require a warrant for the disclosure of records from providers of electronic communication services or remote computing services. The legislation specifically targets the disclosure of metadata pertaining to a subscriber or customer. By amending existing law, it changes how governmental entities can access certain information.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?+9
The bill provides substantial protection for individual privacy regarding digital metadata.
Does this give people more control over their personal data?+8
The bill significantly enhances privacy by requiring a warrant for access to electronic metadata.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+6
The requirement for a warrant ensures higher due process standards for government information requests.
The opposite
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?-5
The bill acts against expanded domestic surveillance by requiring a warrant for metadata access.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Warrant Requirement for Metadata: Under Section 2, subsection (a)(1)(A) and (A)(2)(A), the bill requires a governmental entity to obtain a warrant issued by a court of competent jurisdiction before accessing metadata pertaining to a subscriber or customer. This provides a specific legal standard for accessing such information.
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Protection Against Expanded Disclosures: According to Section 2, subsection (b)(2), any request for a subsequent or expanded disclosure of information that occurred before the act's enactment must be treated as a new disclosure. This ensures that previous disclosures do not automatically allow for continued or expanded access without following the new requirements.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Retroactive Effect for Past Disclosures: Section 2, subsection (b)(1) states that the amendments will have no effect on any disclosure required by a governmental entity before the date of the Act's enactment. This means the new warrant protections do not apply to information already disclosed prior to the law becoming active.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Privacy Rights+9Improves Due Process+6
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+8Increases Big Tech Regulation+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Domestic Surveillance-5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform+5
- 4/9/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House