The Privacy of Email

An Anonymous Coward writes "A U.S. appeals court in Ohio has ruled that e-mail messages stored on Internet servers are protected by the Constitution as are telephone conversations and that a federal law permitting warrantless secret searches of e-mail violates the Fourth Amendment. 'The Stored Communications Act is very important,' former federal prosecutor and counter-terrorism specialist Andrew McCarthy told United Press International. But the future of the law now hangs in the balance."

Comments

McCarthy?

[Red Flayer]

This is about overturning aspects of the 1986 Stored Communications Act. FTA:

'The Stored Communications Act is very important,' former federal prosecutor and counter-terrorism specialist Andrew McCarthy told United Press International. But the future of the law now hangs in the balance.
[snip]
Some observers warned that the ruling might hamper federal counter-terrorism efforts.
[snip]
'The USA Patriot Act broke down the wall between intelligence and law enforcement. Criminal prosecutors can now share information with the intelligence side of the house,' [McCarthy] said.

But if the ruling stopped prosecutors from gathering information, it could not be passed along. 'If you can`t get it, you can`t share it,' he said.

Is it just me, or would it have been a little smarter for the government to use a mouthpiece with a name other than McCarthy when discussing tactics for terrorist witch-hunts?

Re:McCarthy?

[mulvane]

First thing I thought of when I read this is how we should drop 50 nuclear bombs...I don't know where, when and how, but damn it!!! 50 nuclear bombs need to be dropped somewhere!!

Andrew McCarthy

[otacon]

Wasn't he in Weekend at Bernie's?

May be hope yet.

[bryan1945]

Seems like some judges are starting to understand this whole "electronic medium" stuff.

I wonder if their (grand)kids play WoW?

Re:people are so stupid

[Strawser]

Your speech isn't encrypted either,

Depends on how much I've had to drink . . .