Protecting Data at the Border Act

The Protecting Data at the Border Act (HR 9567) requires U.S. government agencies to obtain a warrant based on probable cause before accessing the digital contents of electronic devices belonging to U.S. persons at border crossings. It prohibits denying entry or delaying entry based on a person's refusal to provide access credentials or disclose digital contents, and limits border searches to 4 hours when seeking voluntary consent. The bill establishes emergency exceptions for national security threats or immediate danger, mandates written consent for voluntary data access, and prohibits using evidence obtained in violation of the law in court proceedings. It also requires annual reporting on border data access by government agencies, including data on race and ethnicity. This bill directly affects U.S. persons entering or exiting the United States, strengthening their digital privacy protections at border crossings.