Discussion Paper - Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program, Belfer Center

Cloud and Mobile Privacy: The Electronic Communications Privacy Act

| February 2012

What Technology Companies Don't Want You to Know

Summary

Consumer expectations of online and mobile privacy have in recent years diverged significantly from reality. In certain circumstances, the United States government has the ability to access a consumer's cloud-based email, location data gathered from their mobile phones, and information about what calls a user places on a mobile device—without a warrant. While a broad coalition is spearheading reform efforts in Washington, providers of these services should take proactive steps to bring consumer understanding of their privacy more in line with reality.

Downloads

For more information on this publication: Please contact Science, Technology, and Public Policy
For Academic Citation: Mohan, Vivek. “Cloud and Mobile Privacy: The Electronic Communications Privacy Act.” Discussion Paper, 2012-02, Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program, Belfer Center, February 2012.

The Author

Recommended
In the Spotlight
RSS
While offsets are imperfect, they may be necessary to reach ambitious short-term environmental goals.
More on Energy
Danielle F. Jung and Dara Kay Cohen argue that lynching emerges when neither the state nor its challengers have a monopoly over legitimate authority.
More on International Security
Western models partly inspired the creation of Special Operation Command and Military Police and the development of private military companies.
More from Russia Matters
Most Viewed

Tags