Bill · H.R. 9016· House(119-HR-9016)
Email Privacy Act
- Introduced
- 5/22/2026
- Last activity
- 5/22/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Suzan DelBene
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 3
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Email Privacy Act aims to amend title 18 of the United States Code to update privacy protections for electronic communications. It focuses on information stored by third-party service providers to balance consumer privacy with law enforcement needs. The bill modifies how service providers disclose information to various parties, including originators and subscribers. It also updates the requirements and procedures for governmental entities seeking information through warrants or subpoenas. Additionally, the legislation adjusts the rules regarding when a provider may notify a customer of a legal request.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?+7
The bill strengthens individual privacy protections for electronic communications stored by third parties.
Does this give people more control over their personal data?+7
The bill enhances consumer privacy by allowing service providers to notify customers of legal requests and updating storage definitions.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The bill increases transparency by permitting service providers to notify subscribers of received warrants or subpoenas.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Enhanced Privacy Protections for Stored Content: By repealing the specific subsection and removing the time-based distinction for electronic storage, the bill updates how stored communications are treated. This is found in Section 3(b) which amends Section 2703 of title 18.
-
Increased Transparency for Customers: The bill allows a service provider to notify a subscriber or customer that they have received a warrant, court order, subpoena, or request. This is found in Section 3(a)(4), which adds a new notice provision to Section 2703.
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Clarified Disclosure Rights: The bill updates the language regarding who a provider can disclose information to, specifically including the originator, addressee, intended recipient, or the subscriber/customer. This is found in Section 2, which amends Section 2702.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly detailed within the text provided.
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+7Improves Government Transparency+5
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+7
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Urban Residents+2
- 6/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/11/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/9/2026
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 5/22/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Warren DavidsonRepublican · Ohio
Charles FleischmannRepublican · Tennessee
Ted LieuDemocrat · California
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Chellie PingreeDemocrat · Maine
Scott PerryRepublican · Pennsylvania
Raul RuizDemocrat · California
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey