U.S. House Representatives Introduce Online Communications and Geolocation Protection Act

Representatives Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose), Ted Poe (R-TX) and Suzan DelBene (D-WA) Wednesday (best I can tell) introduced H.R. 983, the Online Communications and Geolocation Protection Act. Per Lofgren's website, it "would strengthen the privacy of Internet users and wireless subscribers from overbroad government surveillance by requiring the government to get a warrant based on probable cause before intercepting or forcing the disclosure of electronics communications and geolocation data."

It includes these requirements:

• Require the government to obtain a warrant to access to wire or electronic communications content;
• Require the government to obtain a warrant to intercept or force service providers to disclose geolocation data;
• Preserve exceptions for emergency situations, foreign intelligence surveillance, individual consent, public information, and emergency assistance;
• Prohibit service providers from disclosing a user's geolocation information to the government in the absence of a warrant or exception;
• Prohibit the use of unlawfully obtained geolocation information as evidence;
• Provide for administrative discipline and a civil cause of action if geolocation information is unlawfully intercepted or disclosed.

A version was introduced last year, too.

- Congressowoman Zoe Lofgren via @mappsorg ("New bill aimed to limit #geolocation and #geospatial data")