Privacy: electronic communications: warrant.

Existing law authorizes a court or magistrate to issue a warrant for the search of a place and the seizure of property or things identified in the warrant where there is probable cause to believe that specified grounds exist. Existing law also provides for a warrant procedure for the acquisition of stored communications and other identifying information in the possession of a foreign corporation that is a provider of electronic communication services or remote computing services to the general public, and procedures for a California corporation that provides electronic communication services or remote computing services to the general public when served with a warrant issued by a court in another state. This bill would delete the warrant requirement that the providers of electronic communication services or remote computing services be providing those services to the general public. This bill would prohibit a governmental entity, as defined, from obtaining the contents of a wire or electronic communication from a provider of electronic communication services or remote computing services that is stored, held, or maintained by that service provider without a valid search warrant issued by a duly authorized magistrate, with jurisdiction over the offense under investigation, using established warrant procedures. The bill would require, within 3 days after a governmental entity receives those contents from a service provider pursuant to the warrant, the governmental entity to serve upon or deliver to the subscriber, customer, or user a copy of the warrant and a notice, as specified, including certain information. The bill would authorize a delay in serving the warrant notice, as provided. This bill would prohibit, except as provided, a person or entity providing electronic communication services or remote computing services from knowingly divulging to any person or entity the contents of a wire or electronic communication that is stored, held, or maintained by that service provider. Any knowing or intentional violation of these provisions, except as provided, would be subject to a civil action with appropriate relief, including, but not limited to, actual damages of not less than $1,000, punitive damages, attorney's fees, and court costs. Existing law prohibits a cause of action against a foreign or California corporation or other entity, as specified, for providing records, information, facilities, or assistance in accordance with the terms of a warrant. This bill would also prohibit a cause of action against a foreign or California corporation or other entity, as specified, that provides records, information, facilities, or assistance pursuant to statutory authorization, as specified.